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UBRARY OF CONGRESS 





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6 



HISTORY 



OF 



THE LATE WAR, 

BETWEEN THE 

UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN; 

CONTAINING 

AJ^ ACCURATE ACCOUjXT 

OSr THE 

MOST IMPORTANT ENGAGEMENTS 

BT 

SEA AND LAND. 

Interspersed with Interesting 

GEOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

OF THOSE PARTS OF THE COUHTRY 

WHERE THE PRINCIPAL BATTLES WERE FOUGHT, 



THIRD EDITION. 

By J. C/GILLELAND. ^7 



/^ B ULTIMO RE : 
Printed and published by Schaejcr U Maund. 
1818, 



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COPY^RIGIIT. 



District of Maryland, to wit : 

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the eigliteenth day of January 
**•**«** ^^ ^he forty-first year of the Independence of the Unit- 
* SEAL. * ed States of America, FREDERICK G. SHAEPFER 
?»*****#* and THOMAS MAUND, of the said District, hath 
deposited in this office, the title of a Book, the right, 
whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words following-, to wit : 

** History of the late War between the United States and Great 
JSritain, contcdning an accurate account vf the most important en- 
gagements by sea and land — interspersed with interesting Geogra- 
phical sketches of those parts of the country ivhere the principal 
battles ivere fought. By J. C. Gilleland." 

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, 
entitled, "An Act for the encouragement of learning*, by secur- 
ing- llie Copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the autliors and 
propi'ietors of such Copies during the times therein mentioned ,•'* 
and also to the Act, entitled, " An Act, supplementary to the 
Act entitled, " An Act, for the encourug-ement of learinng-, by 
securing the copies of Maps, Charts, .and Books, to the authors 
and proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mention* 
ed, .md extending the benefits thereof to the Arts of designhit, 
en'Taving and etching historical and other Prints. 

PHILIP MOORE, Clerk of the District of Baltimore. 



PREFACE. 



The events of the late war, have al- 
ready exercised the pens of numerous 
writers, and certainly there could not 
be a more fruitful subject. The author 
has attempted a concise narrative ot 
the principal occurrences, freed front 
voluminous and unnecessary naval and 
military details. The greater part of 
the Avorks already published, are in too 
expensive a shape and bulk for gener- 
al circulation, or for the use of schools. 
It is not every petty skirmish, or the 
unintelligible details of naval affairs, 
■which is suited to the youthful mind : 
it is only from those important actions 
which shed honor on our country, that 
instruction can be derived. 



PREFACE. 



What volume so favourable to the for- 
laation of the yontlihil mind, as that 
which asserts the dignity of our coun- 
try, which records the glorious actions 
of our countrymen, and which proves, 
that our national chai-acter has risen 
aiider the influence of our political in- 
stitutions ? The author has, therefore, 
thrown in the back ground, the minor 
events orthe late glorious war, in order 
to placing in a more conspicuous point 
of view, those of a more important 
character. Our soldiers and sailors 
have done their duty, it remains for 
the cliildrea of the muses to do theirs. 



CHAPTER I. 



Causes of the war with England — Orders in Council-^ 
Imjrressment — Indian hostilities^ 

The United States assumed a rank among the na- 
tions of the world, in one of the most stormy periods of 
its history. All Europe was convulsed by the dii-eful 
eSects of the French revolution. The combined eftbrts 
of Austria, of Germany, of England, to curb the power 
of France, produced a convulsive struggle on her part, 
which had well nigh crumbled their thrones in the dust* 
The mighty warrior called into political life by this ele- 
mental war, seemed to mave as the genius of Ihe tem- 
pest. One of his ruling maxims was, never to tolerate a 
neutral; all, therefore, within the reach of his arm, 
were either allies, -vassals, or foes. England, whose 
erroneous policy had in the first instance given rise to' 
this distempered energy, chose to adopt the same max- 
im. She moreover, appealed to the world as the de-r 
fender of the liberties and rights of nations, and plainly 
denounced as traitors^ those who declined a _.participa- 

tion in her quarrels. .j.cj' , I 

1* 



6 HISTORY OP THE WAR, 

Fortunately for tins country, the waves of the Atlan- 
tic rolled between it and fury of the European bellige- 
rents. However desirous they might be of engaging us 
in their mad contest, it could only be done through in- 
siduous arts, by which the inexperienced are entrapped, 
or by repeated provocations, calculated to produce a state 
of mind favourable to their designs. For twenty-five 
years, these designs were resisted with unshaken firm- 
ness. The advice of Washington, to keep aloof from 
the dangerous contest, was strictly observed. The na~ 
tion was repeatedly exasperated beyond endurance, but 
4ihe government opposed itself to the imprudent effects, 
of wounded feeling. It appeared to be a contest be- 
tween France and England, which could injnre us most, 
and on our part, how long we could forbear. But there 
i»^ a point at which this forbearance must become not 
only imprudent, but unjust. As in common life, where 
a tame submission to injuries invites a repetition of 
them J so a youthful nation, like a young man, will find 
some ruffian desirous of putting its courage to the test, 
and if found wanting, it is than with impunity insulted 
by the most arrant coward. The pains we had taken to 
keep aloof from the European wars, at last came to be 
taken for pusillanimity, or at least for a want of ener- 
gy in the stricture of the government. It became 
fashionable to represent us as a mean and sordid race, 
incapable of any generous feeling, and exclusively de- 
voted to self-interest, whom no insult, no injury, could 
provoke to strike 5 in short, that we could jiot be " kick- 



CArSES OF THE WAH with ENGLAND, &C. 7 

ed into a war." The practices at first resorted to for 
the purpose of engaging us to share their battles, were 
now converted into the ordinary means of supplying 
their coffers or recruiting their strengtiu France confis- 
cated and plundered our ships ; Spain and some of tiie 
petty states followed the example, as though our pacific 
policy had rendered us lav.-ful prey to all nations. Eng- 
land seemed to think that she had a ridit to transfer ocir 
seamen to her service at her pleasure. Thus situated, it 
became no longer a matter of choice with this' country, 
whether to remain at peace or not ; war sooner or lat- 
er was inevitable ; the difficulty was in the choice of the 
enemy, or whether to contend with both. 

From Britain we had experienced great provocation. 
This haughty power seemed to harbor a dislike to us, for 
having so bravely declared and maintaiiied oui- indepen- 
dence. Her conduct towards us was uniformly disre- 
spectful and contemptuous. She had called us rebels, 
she still considered us but as successful rebels, whose 
destitution of principle must, in the end, cause to fall to- 
gether by the ears, and tlms make room for the restora- 
tion of their expelled sovereign. Little did she know 
of the real spirit of American liberty. Her first trans- 
actions with us, were maiked by faithlessness. The 
settling down of this mighty republic, into that sober 
order and beautiful symetry which at present it posses- 
ses, appeared to her a state of anarchy. The conditions 
of the treaty of 1783, were shamefully slighted'; nay, 
more, although at peace, she smote us with a concealed 



8 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

hand ; she instigated a dreadful Indian war, in which 
thousands of American citizens were barbarously mur- 
dered. It will be long before the people of tlie western 
country can forget the defeats of Harmar and Sinclair, 
or the massacres of the frontier settlers. If there exist- 
ed any particular desire for war o)i the part of the 
Union, this is surely enough to account for it. When 
the Indian hostilities were at last happily terminated by 
the bravery and prudence of general Wayne, and a trea- 
ty of peace in 1764, concluded with England, it was 
thou2;ht that we misfht at last indulo;e the first wish of 
our hearts, and live at peace : but v/e were greatly mis- 
taken. Our growing prosperity could not be seen by 
her without envy : as she was at war with France, the 
carr^dng trade fell into our hand^, and greatly enriched 
our merchants. Britain resolved to put a stop to this, 
by renewing what is called the rule of '56, established 
by her at that period, in order to embarrass the French 
commeiTe. It was founded ostensibly upon the idea, 
that neutrals ought not to alleviate the sufferings of war 
to a belligerent, by keeping up an intercourse betweea 
its difterent ports or colonies ; but it was, in reality, the 
sovereignty of the seas. It was followed up by orders of 
council, which restiicted the American commerce, and 
exposed many of our ships to capture and condemnation. 
Britain, not satisfied witli these violations of the sacred 
laws of nations, established a new rule of blockade, but 
which she aiFected to consider as merely reta,liatory : this 
was, placing her enemy's ports in a state of blockade by 



CAUSES OF THE WAR WITH ENGIAXB, &C. 9 

mere proclamation, and without stationing any efficient 
force. Under these, and many other pretexts, the Amer- 
ican flag could only be said to float on the ocean at her 
will and pleasure, 

Tliere was another grievance which she practised upon 
us, even more insupportable than those enumerated. 
Very soon after our commercial enterprize began to 
spread its wing, it was found that our seamen were ex- 
posed to be taken on the high seas, from underneath the 
flag of their country, and dragged on board the Biitish 
men of war, where they were compelled to serve for 
years. No Algerine servitude could be worse than this. 
The abuse was very soon so severely felt, as to become 
a cause of indignant remonstrance on the part of Presi- 
dent Washington, and afterwards of every successive 
statesmen, to whom was entrusted the safety of the com- 
monwealth. The British alledged in excuse, (for it was 
nothing more,) the difficulty of disting-uishing between 
her subjects, and the citizens of this country. It ap- 
peared, however, that very little care was taken on her 
part to avoid the abuses which must necessarily result 5 
for this investigation was usually entrusted to a petty 
officer, who was either not disposed, or incapable of pro- 
ceeding fairly to work ; and people of every nation, 
were equally liable to be impressed, or more properly 
speaking, kidnapped^ This distressing outrage, was the 
constant theme of complaint on the part of the American 
government; butinstead, of redress, we had tlie mor- 
tification of seeing it augmented, American ships on the 



10 HISTORY OT THE VfAU. 

high seas, were some thnes left without a sufficierxt num- 
ber of men to navigate them, expodng the lives of the 
remainder, and ruining the voyage. Indignities not to be 
borne, were heaped upon our unfortunate countrymen ; « 
the certificates of their nativity, with which they had pro- 
vided themselves, (a kind of humiliatron to which no oth- 
er people had ever been exposed,) was taken from them, 
torn in pieces, and scattered to the winds. To so great 
an extent had this violation of all human rights been car- 
ried, that it was estimated, that in the year 1810, there 
were not less than seven thousand American seamen, 
who had been dragged on board the British ships of war, 
serving against their will, and consequently m a bai-ba- 
rous state of slaverv. All this was heightened by tlie un- 
paralleled insolence of the British naval commanders m 
our waters. The patience of the people of this country 
was alniost exhausted, when the climax of insult was 
offered in the attack on the Chesapeake, were five 
American citizens were taken from on board a national 
vessel, after attacking the vessel in the most unexpecf- 
ed manner. Finding at last, that war would be the in- 
evitable consequence of this wanton act, they humbled 
themselves so far as to offer a reparation, which was 
made in an ample manner, in the return -of the seamen 
to the deck of their ship ; but this was not done prompt- 
ly ond magnanimously, but came late, and was ungra- 
cious in its circumstances. The officer, moreover,- who 
perpetrated the deed, was honoured and rewarded, in- 
stead of being hanged. 



CAUSES OF THE WAJl WITH ENGtAXD, &C. 11 

This stwm only blew over that another might be fo- 
mented. The United States were, at this epoch, the on- 
ly neutral in the christian world ; all other nations were 
involved in war. France, mistress of the land, and 
England of the sea. ,The former, like an imprisoned 
j*obber, threw out idle threats from liis gratings, that un- 
less neutrals, (^meaning the United States) would cease 
their commerce with England, he would come forth, 
(where he could not even stir out to gasp a mouthful of 
fresh air) and deprive them of their goods. England, in ^ 
want of a pretence, cries out, "sir, if you offer to rob 
this poor honest man, I must retaliate, and rob him my- 
self." Without waiting to see whether the prisoner 
could get out to execute his threats, she begins the work 
<rf pillaging at once. It is very evident, that things had 
come to such a pitch, that both of these nations v\ ere in 
tlie habit of exercising all the privileges of war. towards 
us, as far as lay in their power, while we were pursuing 
our policy of peace. 

What could we now do ? Tlie first and most simple 
idea which suggested itself, was to stay at home, where 
we could be more safe than in stirring abroad, exposed 
to be assailed by a tyger or a lion, watching for his prey. 
An embargo was laid; but the experiment of some 
months, proved, that from the gieat extent of our sea 
coasts, and the small extent of our patriotism, it could 
not be enforced. It was, therefore, taken oif 5 and in 
place of it, a law was passed, forbidding all intercourse 
with France and England. By this means, we were 



12 HISTOIIY or THE WAR. 

still ^^^ojed to carry on some trade with Spain, the 
West-Indies and the nations round the Baltic. But we 
were not long in discovering-, that an escape from war 
was inevitable. Our national character had sunk abroad, 
and appeared, to be sinking at home: and what man, or 
society of men, ever prospered, with infamy attached to 
their reputations ? The American was ashamed to own 
his country while abroad. Throughout the whole na- 
tion, the opinion was fast gaining ground, that we must 
have war. But against which of the belligerents should 
it be waged ^ This was the question. We had abun- 
dant cause for complaint against both. The vast fleet 
of England would sweep our little navy from the ocean, 
and would lay our flourishing cities in ashes. With re- 
spect to France, a war would be a mere flourish, for we 
could neither meet their forces by land or sea, unless 
We chose to thrust ourselves into the tyger's den. The 
course adopted by the administration, was perhaps, up- 
on the whole, the wisest : that was, to leave it to the 
choice of the belligerents themselves. The ports of the 
United States were therefore closed against both, but 
would be opened to that one, which w^ould first rescind 
his obnoxious decrees or orders in council, and then 
would come the question of peace or war. To these fair 
and equitable terms England acceded ; the French min- 
ister formally and solemnly declared to our government, 
that the Berlin and Milan decrees were repealed : on 
this being made known to the Prince Regent and the 
English cabinet, they shuffled aad xjuibWed, and affect- 



CAUSES 0¥ THE WAR WITH ENGLAND, &C. IS 

ed to regard the evidence of the repeal of the French, 
insufficient. It was in vain, to say that we, the only 
persons really affected or exposed to injury by their ex- 
istence, v/ere satisfied ; they could not be repealed. 

It now became as clear as the light, that notliing, fair, 
candid or honorable, was to be looked for by us from 
England. She basely persisted in the most iniquitous 
scheme of plunder and oppression, and declined, under 
every species of subterfuge, the numerous proffers of 
the American government, to remedy the evils of im- 
pressment. 

These were not the only causes of irritation against 
Great Britain. Besides coming in contact with her on. 
the sea, where she harrassed our commerce, and kidnap- 
ped our fellow-citizens, we also came in collision on the 
land. Our situation with France was materially differ- 
ent, we might shun her if we chose ; but not so with 
England, for if we withdrew from the ocean, she could 
still harrass us in, consequence of our vicinity. From 
the influence of the fur companies of the north west, all 
the Indian nations in that quarter were at their dispos- 
sal, not excepting the nation which resided witliin the 
territorial limits of the United States. This influence 
was liable to abuse, and in fact was continually abused ; 
the poor deluded creatures, were wrought upon by pres- 
ents, and artful tales, to become inimical to the Ameri- 
cans. An Indian chief, of uncommon ability, had at this 

time acquired the ascendency over all the scattered 
2 



14 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

tribes along the lakes, and in the waters of the Ohio. 
He had been a jfierce enemy of the whites, since the 
first settlement of the country, and was one of the most 
noted warriors that had appeared. The name of this 
savage was Tecumseh, wjio was aided by an artful In- 
dian, and a kind of high priest, or juggler, called the 
Prophet, hk brother. The one appealing to superstitious 
fears, the other commanding respect, and exciting awe, 
were soon found to be useful tools in the hands of the 
British. 

There is no nation on earth, which possesses less of 
the thirst for conquest or dominion, than tliis confeder- 
ac}^ of states. Possessing already^ by the purchase of 
XfOuisianna, a vast accession of territory, wliich will re- 
quire ages to fill, to what end would be the mere desire 
of conquest ? Such an ambition, unconnected with 
some lawful object, can scarcely find its way into the 
American government. But was it not natural, that 
tbere should prevail a w ish to secure ourselves from the 
continual recurrence of Indian warfare ^ And how do 
it but by assailing the v^ry root of the evil. Hence, the 
prevailing wish tlu'ougli il^e United States of conquer- 
ino^ Canada ; not from any benefit or advantage w hich 
the people or the government miglit derive ; perchance 
that benefit or advantage, might be to the human race. 
But coukl w« possess Canada, war would be only 
known on tlie ocean and the coast. Nations, if possi- 
ble, ought not to have too near neighbours^ if they wish 
to remain at peace. 



CAUSES or THE WAR WITH ENGLAND, &C. 15 

In the autumn of eighteen hundred and eleven, seri- 
<ms difterences arose between ' us and the Indians on 
the Wabash ; the ostensible cause of which^ wa& a pur- 
chase made bj governor Harrison, of a large tract of 
land in the Indianna territory, from the Indians. At a 
treaty near Vincennes, Tecumseh behaved in the most 
insolent manner, and openly threatened to dig up the 
tomahawk from under the trep. of peace. The hostile 
deportment of the Indians, soon after induced the gov- 
ernor to call to his aid the 4th regiment of United 
States' infantry, under colonel Boyd, and a bod;^ of vol- 
unteer militia from Kentucky, besides a small body of 
militia o-f Indianna. With these, he proceeded up the 
Wabash, with the intention of building a Fort near the. 
Prophet's town, near a branch of the Wabash, called 
Tippecanoe, since become famous. On liis arrival, he 
was met by the Prophet, Winimac, and some other 
chiefs, who professed to be peaceably disposed, request- 
ed him to encamp for the day, and promised to come the 
next morning and hold a council of peace. With this 
request, the governor complied, unsuspicious of their 
treachery. Towards morning, the Indians, led on by 
W^inimac, suddenly assailed the camp, having killed the 
sentinels with arrows. They were recived with great 
resolution, but were not repulsed until after a bloody 
conflict of tw'o hours, in which the Americans lost up- 
wards of one hundred and eighty in killed and wound- 
ed, among whom were many valuable officers. Colonel 
Davies, one of tlie first men in Kentucky, or perhaps in 



It> HISTOBY OF THE WAR. 

this country, was among the slain. Colonel Boyd, and 
the 4th, acquired much honor. The loss of the In- 
dians was estin^ated at one hundred and fifty. These 
misguided people soon after sued for peace, which was 
granted. But tlirough the instigation of tlie British the 
Prophet and Tecumseh, soon after renewed hostili- 
ties, by murdering families on the frontiers. The war 
"which was about to break forth in this quarter, soon 
after merged into more important events, and wluch it is 
the bu&iaes3 of this presented aarratiye to detaiL 



CHAPTER 11. 



Declaration of War—State of the Coiintrif. 

The twelfth congress continued in session long be- 
yond the usual time of adjournment, in consequence of 
the crisis which was thought to be approaching. On the 
iifth of June, president Madison laid before congress* 
the correspondence of our charge d'aftair in London, 
with the British government, which put an end to all 
hope of the repeal of the orders in council. Every at- 
tempt to arrange the matter of impressment, had also 
failed. In the opinion of the president, there appeared 
to be no possible measure left for us to pursue, but a 
declaration of war. 

This being referred to the committee of foreign rela- 
tions, they drew up an able report, in which a full view 
w as taken of all our causes of complaint against Great 
Britain, and they concurred fuDy in tlie opinion of the 



IS HISTOKY or THE WAR. 

presidgjijt, that nothing was left to us but an appeal 
to arfei^i jfq h, 

Theji v^Vthat the British cruisers were in the con- 
tinual haiattiof violating the American flag, and seizing 
and carrying away, without distinction , all persons sail- 
ing under it. 

That they had been in the practice of harrassing the 
entering and departing commerce on our coast, and vio- 
lating the sanctuary of our harbors. 

That they were aiming to lay waste our neutral trade, 
■and entirely destroy our commerce, that they might sup- 
plant us. 

That they plundered our vessels on the high seas, 
under a pretence of blockades, and that by the sweep- 
ing system of orders in council, our commerce, unless 
through the special license of Great Britain, was at an 
end. 

That a secret agent had been employed to sow dTs- 
sension between the states, and if possible, bring about 
a separation. 

That the war renewed on the frontiers with the sava- 
ges, was without a doubt instigated by the British. 

That in fine, on the side of Great Britain, there was. 
a state of war towards the United States, and on the 
side of tlie United States, a state of peace towards Great 
Britain. 

Aftfer sitting several days with closed doors, the im- 
portant appeal was announced on the eigtliteenth of 
June, and the next day war was formally proclaimed^ 



BECLARATION OF WARj kC, 19 

For thirty years our favoured and happy cout :; y had, 
smiled beneath -the blessings of peace an niij. 

With th.e exception, indeed, of the distant A^ ne war^ 
and the occasional hostilities on the remote f. -iitier. It 
was our first national war smce the declaratioii of inde- 
pendence, and with the nation from whom our imiepeii- 
denc ehad been won. We considered the appeal to arms 
ineviatble; we confided to the justice of our cause, 
and trusted to heaven for the issue. 

The means provided for carrying on a contest witk 
ene of the most powerful nations on the globe, were 
extremely slender. Our army did not exceed five 
thousand men, and these distributed over a surface of 
several thousand miles. A law had been passed for the 
purpose of enlarging it to twenty -five thousand men, 
but little or no progress had been made in enlistment. 
Our navy consisted of a few frigates, and s-maller ves- 
sels of war, not more than thirty in number; while that 
of the enemy, exceeded a tiiousand ships. Our great 
commercial towns were not yet completely fortified, al? 
tliough for some years, considerable pains had been tak- 
en to fortify them. We haxl no overflowing treasury, 
to furnish the abundant means of creating the necessary 
force and supplies; the American » people had beea 
burthened with no taxes- 
Great Britain had laughed- at the idea of our going to 
war ; our confederation, which she called a rope of sand, 
in her opinion, would crumble at the sound, of the war 
trumpet. Our navy, was the standing butt of her ridi^ 






mi^ tbe stars 
imxn me orsan. St; 



T^roe 11125 



jrvrmr^ mi^tn te "tt Her, yr 



Bpng am 



rsL OL OUT 







BECIABATION OP W.Ul, kc, 21 

and the militia of New- York, Pennsylvania acd Ver- 
mont Upper Canada would fall in the course of a few 
months, and in the spring we might successfully advance 
against Quebec. 



CHAPTER III. 



Invasion of CanaBa by gen. Hull-^Battles of Browns- 
town and Maguaga — Hull evacuates Canada-^Bri- 
fish invasion and surrender of Hull. 

Hull, the governor of the Michigan territory, who 
had been a distinguished officer during the revolutionary 
war, having been appointed a brigadier in the service of 
the United States, was on his march to Detroit, the capi- 
tal of the territory, at the moment of the declaration of 
war. His force consisted of about two thousand men, 
nearly one half regulars, the remainder, volunteers from 
the state of Ohio, and well supplied with the necessary 
munitions of war. On reaching the rapids of the Mia- 
mi, he freighted a schooner, with the principal part of his 
baggage, that his march might be lightened : but to his 
astonishment, the capture of the vessel which soon after 
followed, gave him the first information of the existing 
state of hostilities! and it was not until shortly before be 



iJfVASION OF CANADA, &C. 23 

reached Detroit, that he received the official intelligence 
of the formal declaration ; the British, in consequence of 
their settlements along the lake, and the employment of 
swift couriers, had been able to convey the information 
several days before it reached the American post^. From 
the nature of our government, tliere is no possibility 
of knowing, with certainty, the exact time of m\r mak- 
ing war, until its actual declaration : the British had, 
therefore, alinostas early intelligence of it as our execu- 
tive. It is also said, that the American messenger, was 
somewhat detained by an unforeseen accident. 

The arrival of Hull, was little moie than in time to 
save Detroit, which the British were on the point of at- 
tacking. A few well directed s^iot, compelled them to 
abandon the works which they had erected on the oppc- 
site side of the river. Hull, who had received discretion- 
ary power to act offensively, resolved to possess himself 
of the British post on the opposite side of the river, by 
which means, he would at once end the Indian war, and 
cut off the communication with the north-west establish- 
ments, and the lower provinces. The American garri- 
sons and forts pn the Wabash, Mississippi, lakes, &c. 
%vould, in such event, be completely protected. By ob- 
taining a firm footing in this country, as other object 
would be also secured; the inhabitants, chiefly emi- 
grants from the United States, would be induced to 
join the Amerifan standard, and facilitate the active 
conquest of the countiy. 



S4 



HISTORY OF THE WAR. 



On the twelfth of Julj, Hull, with the principal part 
of his forces, crossed the river, and after a feeble op- 
position, took possession of Sandwich. Mere he issued 
a proclamation, in which he stated his force to be suffi- 
cient to look down all opposition,^' threatening destruc- 
tion, without mercy, to all who should be fighting by the 
side of an Indian, ai;d offering protection to the inhabi- 
tants who would join his standard. But this proclama- 
tion was followed up by no prompt and vigorous mea- 
sures against the British garrison, which at this time was 
in condition to resist a vigorous assault. He contented 
himself with detaching colonels Cass and M'Arthur, to 
take possession of the country along the river Thames, 
and loitered away his time in useless skirmishings. A 
sharp skirmish took place a few days after the landing, 
at the river Aux Canards, with a party of the enemy 
stationed to guard the bridge, which crossed tlie river on 
the road to Maiden. .The enemy was compelled to re- 
tire, with the loss of eleven killed and wounded 5 but 
the passage appeared to be gained, with no other view 
than being immediately abandoned. 

Hull now concluded, that Maiden could not be tak- 
en without heavy artillery, and a regular siege, and in 
consequence, sat about making preparations, which 
ought to have preceded the invasion. While his procla- 
mation was figuring away in the United States, and eve- 
ry day was expected to bring the news of the taking of 
Maiden, and the vast advantages which would necessa- 
rily foiow* this geaeral was fast losing the confidence 



IXVASION OF CANADA, &C. ^5 

of liis own troops, by his want of decision, and incapaci- 
ty for command. It appeared that he had either be- 
come superanuated, or that his merit in a subordinate 
station, during the revolution, was no just criterion of 
his talents as a leader. The British officer, general 
Brock, who was a man of talents, was not long in dis- 
covering the kind of adversary he had to deal with, and 
from being at first appreliensive that he could not with- 
stand the great superiority of the American force, be- 
gan to conceive hope of being able to take advantage of 
tlie incapacity of the American. He threw light par- 
ties of regulars and Indians, under the celebrated chief 
Tecumseh, on tlie road between the state of Ohio and 
Detroit, so as to intercept the American supplies. Hull 
was compelled to turn his attention to keeping open the 
communication, while the preparations for the siege of 
Maiden advanced at a snaiPs pace. It was not until 
the first of August, that two twenty-four pounders and 
tliree howitzers were mounted, and even then, he ap- 
peared at a loss what to do with them. Dangers and 
diffialties appeared every moment to thicken around him. 
On the twenty-third of July, he received intelligence 
ihitt Michillimackinac had surrendered to the British* 
Lieutenant Hanks, who commanded this important for- 
tress, was suddenly encompassed by a body of the ene- 
my, and a great number of Indians, wliich to him was> 
the first intimation of hostilities. As it was in vain to 
contend against so great a superiority of force, he was 
compelled to capitulate. There being nothing now to 



£6 HISTORY 0¥ THE WAR. 

kee^ the Indians in check, and the men in the service 
of the north-western fur company being collected, a 
considerable reinforcement might be expected by the 
British general. Hull, alarmed at the danger of his sit- 
uation, which was greatly augmented by his fears, de- 
spatched a messenger for assistance to the governor of 
Ohio, and to general Hull, commanding at Niagara. 
The astonishment excited by this news was universal ; 
the morning which had been so fair in hope, was thus 
suddenly obscured with lowering darkness. 

To a man of mental resource, the situation was not 
yet desperate. The force of Hull was vastly superior to 
that of the British ; his heavy cannon was at last prepar- 
ed, and mounted on floating batteries ; and the Ameri- 
can officers and soldiers, indulged the expectation of 
soon attempting something, to merit the applause of 
their country. The day was actually fixed for the medi- 
tated attack, but to the inexpressible astonishment and 
universal indignation of the Americans, orders were giv- 
en by this wretched commander, to abandon the British 
side and retreat to Detroit. At once every hope of re- 
nown was dashed from them, and they had before their 
eyes, the hateful prospect of becoming the scorn of their 
country, and the ridicule of its enemies. The British 
general was, at the same time, fully confirmed in the 
opinion, which he had of the American commander. 
Hull, in his disgraceful retreat, abandoned to the mercy 
of the British, the deluded inhabitants who had confided 
mhis pompous offers of protection, and effectually pre- 



INVASION or CANABA9 &c. 2y 

vented any future co-operation on the part of the Cana- 
-dians, who otherwise might have been induced to join 
the United States, and assert their independence. 

Shortly before this, a party had reached the river 
Raisin with additional supplies for the American camp, 
under captain Bush ; but in consequence of the road be- 
ing infested by Indians, were obliged to halt, and wait 
until escorted by a sufficient force. A detachment of 
one hundred and fifty men, was despatched under major 
Vanhom, who was attacked near Brownstown, by a su- 
perior force of the enemy, and after a severe contest was 
compelled to retreat, with the loss of nineteen killed and 
wounded : of the former, captain Gilcrease, M^Culloch, 
and Bostler ; of the latter, captain Ulry. 

On the return of this party, it was deemed an object 
of serious consequence to make an eiFort to clear the 
road. While the enemy, well knowing that another at* 
tempt would soon be made, posted a much larger force 
of regulars and Indians, at a place called Maguaga, in 
advance of the former scene of action. For this service, 
which had now become of the first importance, the Ameri- 
can general selected the veteran colonel Miller with 
three huncked regulars of the 4th regiment, and about 
two Imndred militia. On the ninth of August, the day- 
after Hull had evacuated the British territory, the gal- 
lant Miller, although advancing with great caution, was 
attacked by the enemy from an ambuscade. His ad- 
vance guard, under captain Snelling, was suddenly en- 
compassed on all sides by Indians and British 5 but hr 



-^ HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

kept them off, until succoured by the main body. 4» 
animated action took place ; after keeping up a charge 
upon the British regulars, who fought under cover ot^a 
breast-work of logs and trees. Tliey were immediately 
routed ; but the Indians under Tecumseh, in the woods 
on each side, maintained the contest for so.me time long- 
er. The enemy was finally compelled to retire, and 
^-ere driven to their boats, in which they precipitately 
embarked. The American loss in this affair, was fifteeia 
killed and fifty wounded 5 that of the British was about 
the same. The American force was so much fatigued 
by this action, which lasted three hours, that they halted 
on the ground, and the next day recceived orders from 
Hull to return to Detroit. It had been resolved to open 
a communieation with captain Bush, through the woods, 
and for this purpose colonels Cass and Miller were de- 
tached, with a strong detachment of four hundred men. 

By this time, the British general had resolved upon the 
5old attempt of invading the American side, and attack- 
ng Hull. He took a position opposite Detroit, and on 
■he fifteenth, sent over a flag, demanding in form, the. 
■urrender of the American garrison ; in v.hich he magni- 
ied his force, in regulars and Indians, in the most fri^cht- 
111 manner. Hull, however returned for answer, that 
he place would be defended to the last extremity. 

The next day, tlie enemy was discovered crossing the 
iver for the purpose of atacking the fort. Hull, the 
;vening before had sent to recall, by forced marches, the 
letachment under Miller and Cass. No preparations 



INVASION OF CANADA, &C. 29 

were made by him, to oppose the landing of the BntkK 
troops: but the Americans were so d^^po-f be'" 'd *e 
picketing and fences of the village, and m the for tas to 
annoy his advance. On an eminence, two twen Hour 
pounders, charged with grape, were posted m a situaUou 
to sweep the advancing columns of the invader : add o 
this, the detachment out on duty, might be expected to 
amve in time to partake in the action, and assad tl>e en- 
emy in the rear. At ten o-clock, the Bntish force, about 
' seven hundred strong, and so.ne skulking Indians, were 
seen to advance in the direction in which t.iey would 
,„eet certain destiuction ; when suddenb. and wi hou 
the sligtest cause, the American eommandergave o ders . 
for the troops to ab.andon their positions, and betake 
t)iemsehes to the fort, while the officers commanding the 
heavv artillery, were enjoined not to fire. In the midst 
of tliis strange suspense, the British still cout.nued slow- 
ly and cautiously to advance. The American general 
seemed to have lost all presence of mind, and to have 
been under the influence of the most unaccountable 
panic. He filled his mouth with tobacco untd it could 
hold no more, and then daubed bis face with the saliva, 
until he miglit almost have been mistaken for an In- 
dian. lnthisstateofmind,he ordered a white flagtobe 
suspended from the fort, in token of submission, A Bn- 
tish officer who rode up to ascertian the cause, could 
hardly believe it, until the capitulation was made. 1 he 
astonishment and mortification of the Americans, at be- 
in"- thus siurendered, can only be imagined, and was pb- 



3D 

HISTORY OP THE WAR. 

>7 equalled by the grief which overspread their- couatr. 
>vhen It came to be made known. ^ 

The British were put in possession of the whole of the 
provjnce, wUh all the public stores and arms. aMot 
wh^ch were several trophies of the revolution 'lit 
American troops remained prisoners of war, and were 
conveyed to Montreal and fort George. The Imerica^ 
genera, was after^vards tried, and cLemned ts"^" 
death but in consequence of his advanced years, and his 
revolutionary services, he was pardoned. 

The consequences of this affair were of the most seri- 
ous kind Nearly twenty millions of dollars were ex- 
pended, before we were enabled to regain our lost posses- 
sions; and it frustrated all our ulterior plans. The 
Woody contest, in which so many of our brave countrv- 
men afterwards perished, from Niagara upwards, was 
entirely the result of this one man's cowardice. One 
false step m the beginning, often requiies twenty to re- 
trieve the misfortunes which follow. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Xaval Jffairs^Capture of the Ghierriere-^'*aval 

Victories, 

No soioner was the \yar declared, than our little havj, 
in gallant trim, issued in seperate ships, or small squad- 
rons, from the different ports ; and a hundred privateers 
soon after darted upon the foe. The national chagi-in 
had scarcely worn off, when the general attention was 
directed towards the ocean. It was not long before the 
trident was torn from the grasp of Britain, and the red 
cross laid at the feet of \^ctorious America. 

Commodore Rodgers put to sea in June, and steered 
in pursuit of the West-India convoy. While thus en- 
gaged, he gave chase to the Belvidera, a British frigate, 
leaving his squadron in the rear. But the enemy being 
a faster sailor, and having other advantages, effected her 
escape, though not without loss. The commodore re- 
ceived a severe wound, and had nineteen of his men kil- 
led by the bursting of a gun. The squadron then crossed 
the Atlantic, and after a cruise of three mowths* by which 



^2 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

the return of the A^iierican commerce was much facili- 
tated, arrived at Boston with several prizes. 

The Ess?x arid other naticnal vessels sailed about the 
same time. The Constitution, captain Hull, was chased 
for two days, but through consummate seamanship of 
this commander, she escaped. 

These events prepared the public for something of a 
splendid character^ but t}ie occurrence which soon after 
took place, far transcended our most sanguine hopes. 
In the skill and gallantry of our naval commandriS, the 
nation reposed the highest confidence : but they had not 
yet been matched with the boasted lords of the seas. 
The British looked to victory with the confidence of a 
people habituated to conquer. They seemed to have no 
other wish than to prevail on the Americans to meet 
them. Better for tiiem that meeting had never taken 
place. The Guerriere, one of the finest frigates that 
ever descended upon the ocean, vauntingly displayed 
her pendent with a variety of insulting mottos before the 
American harbors. Her commodore began to fear that 
no foe could be found sufficiently bold to encounter him. 
On the memorable nineteenth of September, the Consti- 
tution hove in sight ; with satisfaction the Briton beheld 
her bearing down, and backed his topsails to wait her ap- 
proach. For some time they tried each other's skill in 
naval manceuvring ; but the Guerriere, finding that noth- 
ing was to be gained in this way^ poured out her broad- 
sides. Great was her wonder to find them not returned. 
Perhaps the Yankees were panui struck, or were not 



NATAIi AFFAIRS, &C. SS 

acqii&inted with the use of their guns. Several of Hull's 
brave fellows had fallen, still the enemy's fire was not 
returned. The souls of the American crew were lire ; 
still they patiently waited the orders of their command- 
er. That moment, pregnant with so much glory to them- 
selves and to their country, came at last. Saiiing-mas- 
fer Avlwin had admirably seconded the views of the 
commander, and orders were given to fire, broadside af- 
ter broadside in quick succession. The work was done 
as if by the thunderbolts of Jove. In fifteen minutes, 
the proud frigate was a wreck ; in fifteen more, her flag 
cam.e down, and the vessel was on the point of sinking, 
'^ Free trade and sailors' rights,''^ triumphed over th.e 
tyrants of the seas. 

Grf^at was the disproportion between the killed and 
the wounde^l of the adverse fri2:ates. The Guerriere 
had fifteen killed and sixty wounded ; the Constitution, 
seven killed and seven wounde<l. One hour after, the | 
American would have been ready to try the fortune of 
arms with another Englishman. The deportment of the 
Americans to their prisoners, was the most generous and 
humane. The prize was burnt and blown up, it being 
utteily im.possible to bring her in. After making a few 
captures, the Constitution returned on the twenty- 
second of September. 

The news of this glorious affair, spread on the wings 
of the wind, over the surface of our country. Full, in- 
deed, was our recompense for past misfortunes. All the 
circumstances of this unparralleled combat were of the 



34 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

most pleasing kind. As some reward for this signal ser- 
vice to his country, Hull was presented with the freedom 
of all the cities through which he passed on his way to 
the seat of governnent, and on the meeting of Congress, 
a liberal allowance was made to himself and his crew, 
in consequence of his inability to bring the enemy's 
ship into port. 

From this time to the close of the war, the American 
newspapers were filled with accounts of naval exploits, 
performed both in private and public armed vessels. 
Captain Porter, in the Essex, in a daring manner cut 
out a brig from a convoy, and found on board fourteen 
thousand dollars in specie, and one hundred and fifty 
soldiers. He afterwards captured the Alert, (which 
was in search of the Hornet,) and was on the point of 
engaging a frigate, when iie was separated by the 
approach of night, but in the morning she had disap- 
peared. 

The President sailed again in October, and captured 
the British packet Swallow, with two hundred thousand 
dollars on board. The Argus, which parted from the 
squadron, was also fortunate. She captured several- 
valuable prizes, and after various narrow escapes, ar- 
rived at last in safety at New- York. 

The gallant comodore Decatur, in the frigate United 
States, added another laurel to those which already 
graced his brow. On the twenty-fifth of October, he fell 
in with the Macedonian, captain Garden, a British frig- 
ate of the largest class. The engagement lasted two 



NAVAL APFATRS, 6cCv 55 

hours, in consequence ef the roughness of the seas. The 
fire of the American was so remarkable, that the enemy 
at one moment, thought her on fire. Lieutenants Funk 
and Allen, Avere highly distinguished in this aftair ; the 
former unhappily received a mortal wound. The com- 
modore safely reached New- York with his prize, and 
was received with the applause of his country. 

The national illuminations had scarcely heen extin- 
guished, and the sound of rejoicing ceased, when anoth- 
er naval victory was announced, won after a short, but 
to the enemy a most sanguinary conflict, which served 
to place the American naval superiority beyond all 
doubt. Captain Jones, of the Wasp, a sloop of war, fell 
in with the Frolick. of twenty-two guns, captain Whin- 
yates. The superiority was somewhat on the side ef 
the Briton. At first the chances appeared in his favor 5 
the rigging of the Wasp had suffered in a gale the day 
before, and the roughness of the water prevented the 
Americans from bringing their guns to bear with their 
usual effect. The engagement lasted nearly an hour; 
the vessels gradually nearing each other, until the ram- 
mers touched their sides. The Frolick was at lenath 
taken by boarding. In forty minutes after they came to 
close quarters, the Americans were in possession of the 
Frolic. Her decks exhibited a most shocking spectacle ; 
her rigging had been completely cut up, and both decks 
were strewed with the dead and wounded. The Ameri^ 
cans, on this occasion, displayed their characteristic hu- 
manity. The loss on board the Frolic, was thirty killed 



S6 HISTORY OF THE \\AH. 

and fifty wounded, that of the Wasp was only five kil- 
led and five wounded. Both these vessels were some 
days afterwards captnred by the Proctiers, seven tj"^ -four, 
c aptii red B e re s ford , 

Never was any war so wonderfully successful, as tfaat 
waged against the Goliah's of the ocean. The first year 
of t!ie war was a continued series of naval victories. In 
a few months, the enemy lost upwards of two hundred 
and fifty merchant vessels, two of her frigates, and sev- 
eral smaller public vessels, w^hile they had nothing to 
place in the opposite scale. In Great Britain, these 
marvellous deeds, at first disbelieved, soon produced a 
deep chagrin, and even dismay. The main pillar of her 
strength was torn away. Uuwiiling to acknowledge the 
superiority of the new enemy, she sought to deceive her- 
self by idle estimates of the comparative force, and by 
the invention of fancied mishaps : had we lived in an 
a"-e of supertition, it would all have been attributed to 
ina<nc. Her evasions reminded us of the grimace and 
ingenious paradox of the knight of the rueful counte- 
nance. 

On the lakes, those vast interior seas, whose bor- 
ders are destined to become the joyful residence of mil- 
lions of our fellow creatures, there appeared to be an 
approaching naval struggle. The first naval occurrence 
of any importance, terminated most happy for this coun- 
try. The Caledonia, and the brig Adams, loaded with 
furs, had came down the lake early in October, and an- 
chored under the guns of the British fort. Lieutenant 



NAVAL AFFAIRS, &C. 



o/ 



Elliot, of the navy who had some short time before arriv- 
ed with a number of our brave tars, in order to provide a 
naval force, early in the morning slipped down with 
some of his gallant fellows, boarded and carried the two 
vessels. In ten minutes afterwards, he was under way, 
but the Adams unfortunately ran aground before he 
could secure her; the other, however, was safely brou^-ht 
off, and was found to have on board, two hundred thou- 
sand dollars worth of furs. 



4 



CHAPTER V. 



Battle of ^iieenstown — General Smyth assumes the com- 
mand-^ Colonel Pike*s incursion. 

During the summer and autumn, a considerable force 
was collected along the Niagara, consisting of regulars 
and militia, occupying the best position for following up 
the blow to bo struck by Hull. The spirit of the nation 
had recovered from the mortifying occurrence already 
detailed, while the success of our navy had awakened in 
the breast of every American, an ardent wish to re- 
store the honor of the country. An incident which oc- 
curred in this quarter, kindled this ardour to its utmost 
height; this was, the capture of the British vessels on 
tli€ lake, which we have related in the last chapter. The 
American forces now commanded by general Van Rens- 
selaer, besought him to lead them against the enemy. 
Uawilling to damp their ardor, and at the same" time 



BATTLE OF qrEENSTOWW, &C. S9 

flattering himself with the hope of being able to seize the 
opposite shore, and by that means intercept the com- 
munication of the enemy above, as well as with the lower 
provinces, materially assist the forces of the west about 
to rally and expel the invaders of our territory. 

Accordingly, on the twelfth of October, the corps 
composing the van of the invading army, consisting 
of three hundred men, under colonel Van Rens- 
selaer and colonel Christie, with about the same num- 
ber of regulars^ a detachment of infantry under ma- 
jor Mulany, and the artillery of col. Fen wick, made 
•good their landing in the face of the enemy's batte- 
ries, and rapidly storming the hei^-hts, possessed 
themselves completely of the Canada shore. The 
troops of Buffalo and Lewistown, had been marched 
for the purpose of crossing over, when this could be 
eftected, in order to secure what should be gained. 
Colonel Van Rensselaer was severely wounded, al- 
most as soon as he had landed ; but with undaunted 
firmness, he still continued to give orders. About t!ie 
time of crossing, they w'ere joined by colonel Scott, 
who had made a rapid march with his artillery, in order 
to share the honors of the day. The British were driven 
in all directions, but soon after returned, with large 
reinforcements of regulars and Indians, led by general 
Brock in person, nearly three tim^es the numbers of the 
Americans. This additional force was fiercly withstood, 
and compelled to retire with disgrace. The British 
general, mortified at the conduct of his troops, led them 



40 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

a second time to the charge ; but while in the act of 
urging them on, he fell, mortally wounded ; and they 
once more gave way. It was now foui* o'clock, three 
times had the foe been routed ; ail that was requisite 
to complete the business of the day, was for the volun- 
teers on the opposite shore to cross over, and reap the 
laurels which had been won. The general crossed over 
for this purpose, but what pen can desribe the vexation 
which filled his heart, when he found that they had con^ 
stitutional objections to crossing the straight ! no per- 
suasions could prevail on them. Alas ! alas ! how un- 
accountable are the actions of men. On one page of this 
affair, Americans will dwell with delight, from the next 
they will turn with disgust. The regulars arid volun- 
teers on the Canada side, waited in vain for the aid of 
their comrades. The clouds of war were once more 
gathering around them. The enemy returned to the 
combat, goaded by shame, by rage, and by the hope of 
subduing numbers so inferior. For an hour, the fight 
raged with unexampled fury; a few of the Americans 
attempted a retreat to their own shore, but the greater 
part were at last compelled to yield to overflowing 
numbers. 

A number of American officers were highly dis- 
tinguished. General Wads worth, of the volunteers, co- 
lonels Van Rensselaer, Christie and Scott, w^ere much 
applauded ; as also captainsWool, Gibson, Ogilvie, Arm- 
strong, and many others. About sixty were killed, one 
hundred wounded, and about a thousand taken prisoners. 



BATTLE OF qUEENSTOWN, &C. 41 

The British forty-ninth, called the "Invincibks," form- 
ed a ^part of their force. The loss of the enemy was 
very considerable in killed and wounded. 

On the fall of general Brock, general Sheaflfe suc- 
ceeded to the command. In many things he was want- 
ing, in the regard to the duties of humanity, which 
might have been expected from a generous enemy. He 
imposed no restraint upon the savages, who were per- 
mitted to practise their horrid treatment to the dead and 
wounded. During the funeral of general Brock, minute 
guns were fired from the American fort, as a testimony 
of respect for the character of a brave enemy. 

It was a most unfortunate circumstance, that the 
Americans failed in their attempt on the Canada shore. 
It became afterwards the glorious theatre of American 
valor ; but had we obtained possession, the troops would 
have been well housed for the winter, and the spring 
campaign would have opened with results very different 
from those which followed. 

In the course of this party coloured day, a cannonade 
was kept up from the forts and batteries on the opposite 
sides of the water. Considerable execution was done 
by the Americans, with comparatively trifling injury by 
the enemy. 

The command of this force was soon after resigned 
to general Smyth, of the United States' army, an of- 
ficer who stood high as a tactitian, but who had not 
shown himself in the field. Desirous of contrasting his 
talejits with those of his predecessor, he set about making 
4* 



42 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

preparations for a more successful! invasion of the Ca- 
nada shore, before the close of the season, although it 
was now far advanced. On examining the ground, he 
fancied that the failure of the former attempt was to be 
attributed to the judicious selection of the place of land- 
ing. He first issued a proclamation, calling on volun- 
teers from all quarters; and on the seventeenth of 
November, announced to the army of the centre, his in- 
tention of crossing into Canada. It was not, however, 
until the twenty -eighth of November, that all things 
Were prepared for the intended enterprize. Two detach- 
ments, one under colonel Winder, and the other under 
colonel Boestler, were to cross before day, to seize the 
batteries, and keep them until the main body should pass 
the river. At three o'clock they got under weigh, in ten 
boats, but on approaching the shore, they found the ene- 
my apprised, and actually opened a fire the whole length 
of their batteries. The greater part of the invading 
force was compelled to put back, having been carried 
down by the current, which is h^re exceedingly rapid. 
Two small detachments alone effected a landing, one 
under colonel Boestler, the other under captain King, 
at distant points from each other ; but making a bold 
assault, and at the same time raising a shout, the British 
were induced to believe that the intermediate space was 
occupied by the whole American army, and fled preci- 
pitately from their posts, leaving all the batteries un- 
defended. The boats which returned to the American 
side, by their report produced a suspense in the inind of 



BATTLE OF QLEENSTOWN, &C. 4S 

tlie general, in consequence of his ignorance of the 
fate of the handfull of men uho had eft'ected their 
landing. Two thousand men, who were embarked, 
waited impatiently for orders to move, but the com- 
mander still hesitated what to do. An equal number 
paraded on the shore, in readiness to proceed as a re- 
serve. In the mean time day began to dawn, and the 
enemy having rallied his force, was greatly astonished 
to find the invadinjz; force scarcely exceeded thirty men, 
"who were made prisoners of war. The British force 
thus collected, were less than five hundred men, but 
concealing themselves in the w oods, and winding their 
bugles lustily, induced a belief that their numbers were 
very great. General Smyth concluded, that any fur- 
ther prosecution of this invasion would be useless, there- 
fore announced its abandonment, gieatly to the dis- 
satisfaction of his troops, who were, on this occasion, 
earnestly desirous of wiping away the stain of the 
former disgrace. It was with difficulty that he could 
calm their minds by declaring his intention of making^ 
a more effectual attempt. 

On the Tuesday foUowdng, the troops were actually 
embarked, and general Porter, who was to lead the 
van, anxiously waited the orders to proceed. Every 
thing promised success, as far as depended on the 
good conduct of the troops. Suddenly, to the aston- 
ishment of the whole army, orders were issued by the 
general, announcing his intention of renouncing the 
invasion for the season, and to retire into winter %uar- 



44 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

ters. The discontent of the American volunteers, thus 
disappointed, was not confined to murmurs ; many 
threatened the lite of the general, who was compell- 
ed to place a guard near his person for his safety. 

The genera), after endeavouring to establish his 
courage and prudence, by challenging general Porter, 
of the New-Tork volunteers, thought proper to retire 
from tlie command. He withdrew to his seat in Vir- 
ginia, where he- was permitted to remain quietly du- 
ring the war. 

The forces collected on the St. Lawrence, with the 
exception of some slight skirmishes, did little worthy 
of being recorded. On the nineteenth of October, 
colonel Pike, a promising and rising officer, already 
highly esteemed as an enterprising and chivelrous sol- 
dier, made an incursion into Canada, defeated a body 
of British and Indians, destroyed a block-house, and re- 
turned with only five men wounded. 



chapteh VI. 



Jtffairs of the IFest-^Icvements of Gen, Harrison^ 

We return to the affairs of the west, after the melan- 
choly suiTender of Hull. Nearer the sceae of action, 
the western states were more deeply chagrined, than 
other parts of the union. Many of their citizens had 
been compelled to share in the burthen of the heavy dis- 
grace. In the re-action of the public feelings, an enthu- 
siastic spirit v/as enkindled, and the desire of regaining 
the conquered territory, and of avenging the insult, uni- 
versally prevailed. At Louisville, and Newport, large 
bodies of volunteers were continually collecting; in the 
state of Ohio, at several points, a similar alacrity had 
collected large bodies of private citizens, who had sudr 
denly taken up arms. Indeed, the numbers flocking to 
the places of rendezvous, rendered it necessary that 
oi-ders should be issued to prevent the assemblage of 







MS w lad hetrn orilcctnt 
ylKsr IB fiirj if ■ftm . " BBb first slep jIW 
in^ Ik ivroe, ani JKidMin^ if te Ac 

— :# Ifae ladiaM cooisj. Use df Aeae. ivt BarriMe, 

ct aiiia ffMM g «l^ ^lie ■■lira tandks h^hi ^be fKlEcA- 
if^l^yii^ ^ecsB set #■ fii<es scAM^fewtlkea^aMfaiHe 
C9«^£b«e «if ^brcsKBOMfiBs: dficscr. catsCiM Tifitr* ptv- 

Vm kis ^«id cKkdarl, ci^^e»A Twjhr 
if awj^Mj. 

sa respecialAe ficatle. tvere 
JBcurf W pemtak flifirinr aa4 Tapper. 

lfeaief>daiiae» <acaweft«c«4m«»<»€be^iMt9n- 

■Mb vMHKCh3HmHKBK MT HMHpBHMJCf oM ^4l*"- ^'v' 

Hjii-iw if^ft fart Wiadbfcelec, jatv^kk ^^ 



AFFAIRS OF THE WEST, &C, 47 

mcnt and maixh of the volunteers, destined to replace 
iRose wliose services^ had expirded, and for the-puipose 
of bringing up tlie forces destined in the spring to oper- 
ate atjainst the enemv at Detroit. General Winchester 
\va^ left in command of about a thousand, chiefly volun- 
teers from Keotuckj, and consisting of young men of 
ardent and generous feeling. It was not long after the 
departure of general Harrison, before the arrivel of a 
deputatiun from the village of Frenchtown, situated on 
the river Raisin, between t!»e Miami and Detroit, solicit- 
ing the protection of their countrymen, from the Indians 
who had threatened to destroy them, and to prevent, 
if possible, the occupation of their village by the combin- 
ed forces of the enemy, as was contemplated. The gen- 
eral, at the earnest solicitations of tlie volunteers, was 
prevailed upon to consent to their marcliing to the relief 
of tlie unfortunate people. Colonel Lewis, at the head 
of about five hundred men, the greater part Kentucky 
volunteers, with two companies of regulars, reached the 
Raisin on the eighteenth of January, eighteen hundred 
and thirteen, and finding the enemy strongly picketed, 
boldly crossed the river on the ice, and after a warm ac- 
tion, drove them in every direction. Being master of 
the ground, he encamped wihiri a line of pickets, which 
would contribute to render his position defencible, in 
case of an attack by a larger body. 

General Harrison, about this time arriving at fort Win- 
chester with some reinforcements, was much chagrined 
to fine tliis deviation frorn his plan of operations. To 



^* 



Kt^TiarT *>r th?^^ vjlil. 









sB 






om^^in^ ins aaciu wut 



I-pwiv 




AFFAIRS OF THE M'EST, &C. 

species of coatuTneW an*! tortwe. Tite conduct of tlie 
Britiah coromaoder, genera! Pro'clor, has stamped his 
Dame with infamj that will last to remotest a^es. Man v 
of the prisoners vr ere carried awaj by the Indians, some 
of them were burnt with h<»mble tonnents, and others 
retained in slavery, to be afterwards carried about like 
beasts, and gold in the streets of Detroit, llie most 
tragical part of this ^wcking affair^ "was <he burning up- 
wards of sirty of tl.e cnhappy w ounded, who had been 
left in t>ie houses of the inhabitants ; these houses were 
left without any gxiard of British regulars, and the d?v 
afler the battle, a party of Indians returned and sat fire 
vO them. Tiie fate of capmin Hart, an accomplished 
voun» g:entleni3n of Kentucky, -rvas peculiarly i^irtres- 
siBg: eoicnel Eiiiot. ^vthc I}.iiisii army, who had been 
his classmate at Princeton, voluntarily tendered iiim his 
protection, aad promised to retam with the means of 
conveyance to a place of safety, where iiis wound mi^ht 
be attended to. Tiiis he sever did. Captain Hart prevail- 
ed on two Indians for a sum of money to take him to 
Detroit ; they had proceeded with him but a short dis- 
tance, when with cruelty and fickelness of savages, they 
pulled liim from his horse, and wreaked their vengeance 
upon the defenceless prisoner. Oh ! Britain, what heart, 
couldst thou have possessed, to have permitted a fellow- 
ship in thy wars with such bloody fiends ! Two hundred 
of the dead were suffered to lie on the ground ; no fune- 
ral rights were permitted to be paid them. Humanitr 
must ever weep over this melancholy picture. * 



50 HISTORY or THE WAR. 

Among the slain, or barbarously -murdered, were colo- 
nel Allen, captains Hickman, Simpson, (a member of 
Congress,) Mead, Edwards, Price, M'Cracken, and many 
others of the choicest sons of Kentucky. 



CHAPTER VII. 



Meetino; of Congress—Proposed Jlrmistke-^Capture 
of the Java— Operations on the Lakes—Siege of 
Fort Meigs. 

Shortly after the commencement of the war, a pro- 
position for a cessasion of hostilities, was made by the 
governor of Canada, information having reached him 
of the repeal of the orders in council. This proposition 
being vague and informal, was at once rejected. It was 
followed by one more specific, on ti«e part of admiral 
Warren, who came to take command of the station ; he 
demanded as a preliminary to every other step, that the 
United States should throw down their arms, as having 
been the ajjjn'essors. This insolent demand was in- 
stantly refused. In fact, we had no confidence in the 
momentary repeal of the orders in council z nothing but 



^liSHKI ^SF 










iut "^^misaaimm^ 



MEETT?fG or COXGRESS, &C. ^ 



iboyt one hour a©d an bait <3iniiigwfekh Ifime ^ 
was completely dismastedU and their c«»«ttnd«r iwr- 
taiir wOToded. On board were genenl Hklop, deBtfflf4 
to 4e commaad of Bombay, io^plthfor wi«k leveirf oAer 
officers of distinction. The prae coidd iMt be briM^ 
in, baTii^ been redaced to a perfect wreck- TW^ictor 
i-eadied Boston in FeJbnia*y, and recowed the «a»e 
Jionors as w»€ nnifonnly paid io oar naTal cobl- 

manders. 

The rejoidu^s for tkis bappy occmrence were not a. 
little damped by inteiii^nce ei the cxitkal fitnatkn oC 
general Hanis^Ja. This e^i gr findii^ fe torce ™ch 
weake^d by dse losf»of nosbers as well as of the aid 
and conacil of so many able officers asd intelligeiit n^n, 
deemed it pnideut to entreTich himself near the Miarai. 
He constmcted bastiiy a stockade, which he caBcd fort 
Mei^in honor ctf the active and patriotic governor of 
Ohio, whobad eierted himself in the most laudabU man- 
ner to fnrthw iise js^peparaiions oii foot. Ytfs rede fw- 
ti&cations Were still incomplete, ^&eii the enewy con- 
sistiag of a combined force of Brteh and Indians Tinder 
genenl Proctor, made m appearance. The fort was 
manned with aboat a theesand men, cbleSy vcJimteers, 
was' closely invested by more than double the number. 
A fire waa BHitaaliy kept np eadi day for some Sme, 
when a messenger informed the A-merican commander of 
Oie apfHtiaidi of twelve hundred men, under ^nerai 
Clay. A well planned sortie, in coDJunction with Hie 
mnforceraeDt, vra.s resolved upon. Cokoel Dudley, de- 
5» 



54 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

sceniUns: the Miami at die head of a detaclnnent in pur- 
suance of the preconcerted plan, suddenly landed on the 
left bank of the river, assailed the British batteries, and 
completely drove them the field : unfortunately, liow- 
ever, the im^vtuosity of his troops could not be cliecked 5 
they persisted in pursuing ti\e enemy, until they reached 
a wood, where they were suddenly surrounded, and the 
greater part cut to pieces or made prisoners. The co- 
lonel, who had endeavoured to make cood liis retreat to 
the boats, was slain in the struggle. On the opposite 
side, the sortie on the British works was completely suc- 
cessful. Colonel Miller, r'^the gallant fourth, who was 
chosen for this purpose, drove the besiegers from all 
their works. On tl.at side also, the ungovernable, head- 
long daring ot the Kentuckians^ was near being ruinous 
to them ; they were only saved by a vigorous chaige of 
the horse, which covered their retreat. Among the dis- 
tinguished officers of the day, we find the names of 
m^or Ale3umder, captaits Croghan. Bradford, Xearing, 
Sabrie, and lieutenants Campbell and Gwynn. 

This put an end to the siege of fort Meigs. Du- 
ring the siege, which lasted thirteen days, the Ameri- 
cans lost eighty kiDed and one hundred and fifty 
wounded, besides those who fell a sacrifice to the fury 
of the savages under Dudley. Had the enemy been 
ssccessfot, ihe most disastrous consequences would 
hxve followed. The whole frontier was thus placed in 
a state of security, fnom the murderous incursions of 
thessrages. 



CHAPTER yilh 



The BSffa- 



ckaracter a£ Ae £r§i. i -^c v^ir - ■ .^- 

zaJiEcdllJlfae ca^ftne dflbe I _. .^ _ „. _ - 
csfiiaBm I^wrestDC Tlis vvsari bad be»x ^^ bx 
m^adore BAij!i%ri!(ige, ■ J h tti j More kas ctpltmg^ cf tii« 
Java, itt blockade t^ Boome Cktgfemm^ a Brxtkh ressd 
fkcB aa Ae part of Sajvador. IVe Biisish veastk 
Ifc aa ^i fgapgr to dediae l^^dtaSka^it. Osfctms. 
%-ftnrtk af JjHpny, t^ M «Bl^g«e, sievaiitj^aBr. Wr^ 
in ai^i<9 anaAkklfae flamrf, iri- ruiiiiiapLMul tjii lasse 

taC SKg<6* 



56 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

The Hornet, by this occurrence, was compelled to 
strike out a new course. On the twenty-third of Febru- 
ary, siie discovered the English brig lying at anchor near 
the Carabona banks ; captain Lawrence stood for her, 
but while in the act of beating round, for the puq^ose of 
coining up, another vessel of war was espied making to- 
wards the Hornet. This proved to be a large man of 
war brig, the Peacock, captain Peake. It was not long 
before tiiey were both engaged. In fifteen minutes, the 
Peacock could with difiiculty be kept from sinking ; she 
hung out signals of distress at the same moment that she 
hauled down her flag. The generous Lawrence imme- 
diately dispatched his boats to assist in saving the van- 
quished crew : every possible effort was made, but in 
spite of all they could do, she went to the bottom, carry- 
ing down three American seamen, and five of her own. 
The officers and crew having been deprived of their 
clothing, were supplied by the Americans, who shared 
with them like brothers. The injury of the Hornet 
was very slight. 

The British, mortified beyond measure at the repeat- 
ed defeats which they had experienced, found it necessa- 
ry seriously to devise some mode of retrieving their 
credit. Several frigates were fitted out in the best pos- 
sible manner, with picked crews. Marksmen, in imita- 
tion, as they pretended, of the Americans, were station- 
ed in the tops, and the artillerists were trained with pe- 
culiar attention. The numbers of the crews were in- 
xr eased for the purpose of boarding : in fine, nothing was 



CAPTURE OF THE PEACOCK, ctC. 5T 

left undone that might enable them to cope with formi- 
ilable Americans. 

Captain Lav/i^nce returned in April, after expe- 
riencing every rnai'k of honc-ui'j which his country could' 
bestow, and was appointed to the coaimand of the Chesa- 
peake, at Boston : the unfortunate vessel which had be- 
fore the war received so great an insult from the British. 
The Shannon and Tenedos, were at this time cruizing 
off the harbour, and sending challenges to the American 
commanders of frigates. Lawrence unfortunately never 
received any of them, and v/as not aware that he had to 
contend with an enemy specially prepared : but per- 
ceiving a British vessel casting defiance as it were in his 
teeth, by parading m full view of him, he burned to sally 
forth and try the fortune of his arms. The Chesapeake 
was undergoing some repairs, the greater part of her 
crew had been discharged, new hands were to be en- 
listed, and many of the most important equipments to 
be made. His impatience hurried every tiling foiward; 
no moment was to be lost. On the first of June he moved 
out, and the Shannon, capt. Broke, espying him, mani- 
fested no wish to avoid the contest. Lawrence haran- 
^gued his cr^w, when to his inexpressible mortificationi 
he found them sullen, and mutinous ; he endeavoured to 
concil L?.te them, and arouse within their breasts, a spirit 
worthy of the occasion. But in vain, as became too soon 
evident. After some manoeuvring they came to close 
quarters, and at first the advantage was evidently in 
favor of the Chesapeake ; the fortune of the day soon 



58 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

began to turn, in consequence of the great destruction 
among the American officers. Sailing master White, 
was killed ; lieutenant Ballard, mortally wmmded ; 
lieutenant Brown, of the marines, severely, as also the 
first lieutenant, Ludlow. Captain Lawrence, although 
severely wounded, still remained on deck, giving his or- 
ders with coolness, as he leaned upon the companion 
wav. He was sivins; orders for the boarders to come 
up, when he received a ball in his body, on which he 
was carried below, exclaiming to his companions, as 
they carried liim oiF, ''Don't give up the ship" which 
words have become the motto of American seamen. 
Captain Broke, finding that his vessel had received great 
injury and was then almost in a sinking condition, de- 
termined to board. The Chesapeake having teen dis- 
abled in her i\^\j)fr. she had fallen, to use the seamen's 
phrase, on board the Shannon. The British commander 
leaped on deck at the head of about twenty mon, and 
was soon followed by a sufficient mimber of his crew, to 
accomplish the object in view. A short but desperate 
struggle ensued. The loss of officers on the part of the 
Americans, and the dastardly conduct of the boatswain, 
who had skulked, instead of calling up the boarders, 
gave the decided advantage to the enemy. The action 
in a short time terminated in the capture of the Chesa- 
peake. Nearly all the officers on board this ill-fated 
ghip, were either killed or wounded, besides seventy of 
her crew killed, and eighty wounded. On the part of 
the enemy there were tweaty-three killed and fifty-si^: 



CAPTURE OE THE PEACOCK, kc, 59 

wounded. The conduct of the British was not so con- 
spicuous for magnanimity to the vanquished, as would 
have been wished, with the exception of the honorable 
interment of the nav^I heroes Lawrence and Ludlow, 
on their arrival at Halifax. 

The rejoicings in England for this victory, were 
scarcely more extravagant than those of Nelson, and of 
their most distinguished admirals. ' The capture of one 
American frigate appeared to them a gi-eater exploit, 
than the capture«of a French or Spanish fleet. For a 
time, the tide of fortune seemed to be in favor of Britain. 
The Argus, early in June, after having carried out the 
American minister to France, went to cruize in the 
British channel, where she committed so much havoc, 
that the British government found it necessary to fit out 
ships on purpose to encounter this dangerous enemy. By 
one of these (the Pelican), she was discovered at ni<^ht 
by a ship on fire. Captain Allen fell at the first fire, 
and his lieutenant soon after. The wheel beino- unfor- 
tunately shot away, she was exposed to raking. In this 
situation she withstood the enemy's fire some time, but 
was at last compelled to surrender, after forty-seven 
minutes close figfiting. This was the last victory fairly 
obtained by Britain. 

Early in July, letters were received from" commodore 
Porter, who, it seems, had sailed round Cape Horn, for 
the purpose of cutting up the English tiade, and destroy- 
ing the English trade in the south seas. In this, he 
met with astonishing success 5 he captured nine of the,- 



60 Hlriy^BT or THE WAn. 

aixi €»i> ' '2bi:.ri222 rccae «^ iw* ram od boird these s3i;ps. 
be iB&tle ctBi t» j^-n at refpectsbie fieef, witli whkli be 
sot»ii berame miirter i^f the Pacific CNreau. 

In t:.? ATiiLi!t:c-, "^ictorr onre more returned to the 
ade t»f jcftire- Ob ti^e irst <^ September, tfee bzig Ed- 
terpniJt, cspl. BurrOTrs »^ ^ w^ i^ Boxer, cspt^ 
K-rtijc, Tb* a.cfx<a Usi^ bst ^ttle Eiore liiaii tiiirtj 
isiRiitef^ \s-b*s the SsjgiishBa» w£« so f^ra^lj kandled, 
tii£.i be cri«i for <^BMTtsa-^, a« lliev v^t^-e usable to iiami 
^9911 the Liik^r^., haxmg asad tJie precamion to maJke 
Hire «f their c^ia-ase- by 'na«<Tig k t* the sttst. Bcita 
•&e r.€«BJa*iidfer5 w*re killed. C^ipi^iii Bfifnows refused 
is be caniesd below, anni w]>en the sword <j^ !^v a-" 
riarr was Reseated L& hijn, l>e pressed ?t f^ hk L. -i_ - 
aud exclaimed, -* / fii^ camt^eJii^dJ* 

Coffliaodore Radirers, <ia the £6th of S;:-- •-.. i:- < 
Tired *iT,er a cruise <^ STt&.t len^h, haTiE^ i^Mked at er- 
erv c«iBtfy oa tbe Atiantk-, aad circeiana^t^ated tiie 
British isiand*, wiiliOiii iitc^e.staiiwi £n&m tbe tSai^asaiid 
fehip- of Greai BritaiD. 03' the AAeiicaa ooaH; ae cap- 
tared a smai] Te»eL ^ Hi^^jer, witk admiral Wa: - 
ren'r'pdirate sigTialK, b^ whk^ ke wa.f» eLiab^ed to escai^e 
tV*- BriiiA craizerR. 

The piwatoti s t hgagji— t ^as jear. cootisTied toeas- 
ia^e the |»li^ T^&iAtlh^ m liie faskiixess and 5i;cces6 of 
dieir ex^i«sta, aad im tiie cosxectnesa of their depod.- 



CAPTURE OF THE PEACOCK, &C. 6l 

Deccatur, performed a number of acts of the most signal 
character. The Decatur actually captured the Domi- 
nica, a British public vessel of nearly equal force? afto' 
a severe engagement. 



f PArrKE jx 












j»i ayywiwwfHi M^^^m^ l [, ii fli ii t> li^ani, 
Hfc>iilw>ii#eriii[iiiiniiirrffcr<he»g^ 



RrSSIAK MEDIATIOX, &C. 63 

rasioa. The two former, as soon as possible embarked 
for Europe. 

Tl.e campaign of 1815, the second year of the war, 
ope; ed with several brilliant atf^iirs, v* i.ich sexved to 
rai>r the ch;u'acter of our soldierv, Commadore Chaun- 
cev Piaster of lake Ontario, ajid sir James Yeo was 
tapeful not to show himself out of Kingston, until tlie 
vessels then building would give him tlie superiority*. 
The commander in chief, general Dearborne, was th.ere- 
fore at liberty to cross to tl\e Canada side wiih his troops, 
in liie -pursuit of anv-plan of operations he might adopt. 
Pike, who had been raised to the rank of a brigadier, 
full of the most anient desire of distinction, panted . for 
an opportunity of taking the field. An attack on York 
was resolved upon : the plan and execution were re- 
signed to Pike. This place, the capital of Upper Cana- 
da, contained vast quantities of military and uaval 
stores, and moreover, a large vessel idmost ready to 
be launchetl, which would give the ccmmand of die lake 
to the British. 

On the twenty-fifthof April, two thousand men were 
embarked on board the American squadron, and the 
next day appeared befoi^ York. No time w^s lost in 
effecting a landing, at the ruins of the old fort of 
Torento. abaut two miles above the town. This was 
effected under a severe fire from the enemy, who had 
been apprised, and were drawn up at water's edge, For- 
sythe, with his riflemen, led the >'an ; but receiving a 
galling fire as he neared tlie shore, he ordereil his boat- 



64 



HISTORY OF THE WAK. 



men to rest on their oars, in order to give his marksmen 
an opportunity of returning the compliment. This being 
observed by Pike, who was anxiously watching every 
movement, he leaped into the boat prepared for himself 
and staff, and ordered the detachment of major King to 
follow him. He made good his landing, and placing 
himself at the head of the troops first formed, gallantly 
charged upon the enemy, and drove them before him. A 
few moments after, reinforcements arriving, he moved 
rapidly forward, drove the enemy from a battery which 
they had constructed, and, then pushed on to another, 
when the sound of Forsythes's bugles announced victo- 
ry on his part. As he approached the last battery, it 
was precipitately abandoned by the enemy. Here his 
column halted within three hundred yards of the ene- 
my's barracks. While calmly engaged in conversation 
with a British Serjeant, a dreadful explosion took place. 
It was the magazine in which there had been an im- 
mense quantity of gyn-powuer. Masses of stone and 
limber, fell in tlie midst of the Americans, producing a 
dreadful havoc ; upwards of two hundred were at once 
killed and wounded. Unsubdued by the horrors of 
this infernal contrivance, and of this scene of desolation, 
their ranks were instantly closed, and they rent the air 
with three loud huzzas, while the animating tune of Yan- 
kee-doodle, cheered even the dying, and caused the 
wounded to forget their pain ! ^JTlie chivalrous leader, 
however, was here doomed to terminate^ his short but 
glorious career : he received a mortal contusion, but still 



RUSSIAN MEDIATION^ ACC. ^3 

retaining enough of life to give words to his gallant 
spirit, he thus addressed his troops, " Move, on, my 
bravGfelloivs,and revenge your general'' He was then 
carried on board one of the vessels ; the scenes of life 
were rapidly receding from his view, and his sight grow- 
ino- every moment more dim, when he was somewhat 
roused by the victorious shout of his men. A moment 
afterwards, the British flag was brought to him ; this for 
an instant kindled up his fading eye, and requesting that 
the trophy might be placed under his head, *he expired 
in the midst of his glory. 

The American troops, headed by colonel Pearce, 
took possession of all the British works, and were on full 
march to York, when they were met by a deputation who ^ 
oftered to surrender. It was agreed that tlie place, with 
all the public property, and the troops should be surren- 
dered to the Americans. While the articles of capitula- 
tion were under discussion, the British were actually 
engaged in destroying all the public property, while an 
opportunity was given to general Sheafte to escape, with 
a considerable portion of his regulars. About three 
o'clock, possession was taken of the town. The order 
was strictly obeyed, although there existed cause of 
much exasperation. In the state-house, a singular tro- 
phy was found over the speaker's mace ; it was no other 
than a human scalp ! On such a fact no commentary is 
necessary. After this, how could any regard to the laws 
of honourable war, be expected from Great Britain ? Af- 
ter this insult to all civilization and humanity ! 
6* 



^^ HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

General Dearborne did not assume the command, un- 
til after possession was taken of the place. Having tak- 
en measures for securing the captured stores, and the 
prisoners, who amounted to about eight hundred, he or- 
dered, the place to be evacuated, and soon after re-em- 
barked his troops. Essential service was rendered by 
commodore Chauncey in covering the landing, and in 
annoying the enemy's batteries. The American loss in 
killed and wounded, amounted to two hundred and 
sixty-nine, that of the British, to nine hundred and thirty 
men, including prisoners. 

On the return to Sackett's Harbour, preparations were 
"made for the attack on fort George, and the British 
strong holds on the Niagara, v/hich Imd been vainly at- 
tempted the year before. All things being made ready, 
the army embarked on board the fleet, and on the twen- 
fy-second of May, sailed on the contemplated enterprize. 
The landing took place on the twenty-seventh of the 
same month. Commodore Chauncey placed his vessels 
in the best position for annoying the batteries and forts of 
the enemy, while the transports for crossing the invading 
army, passed the river. General Dearborne, at this time 
in very ill health, issued his orders from his bed; and the 
immediate direction of the attack, was entrusted to gen- 
eral Lewis, the next in command. Generals Chandler, 
"Winder and Boyd, with their respective brigades, ad- 
vanced to the shore with unshaken firmness, under a 
Jieavy fire. The advance under colonels Scott and For- 
sythe, having effected a landing, and being assisted by 



RUSSIAN MEDIATION, kc, 67 

the fire fron the ships, soon cleared the batteries. But 
the British, throwing themselves into a ravine, complete- 
ly arrested for a time, the progress of the Americans. 
After a warm enga«;ement, they were at last compelled 
to retire, and the v/hole line of fortifications was aban- 
doned. As soon as a sufficient force was formed, thej 
advanced to the assault of fort George, which they found 
hastily abandoned, with the flag still flying, which was 
torn down by colonel Scott and major Hindman. The 
retreaiitig enemy was pursued some distance, by cap- 
tain Riddle, and some other active officers. Upwards of 
five hundred Canadian militia surrendered their arms, 
and were pennitted to depart on parole ; one hundred 
and eigiit of the regulars were killed, ahd two hundred 
and seventy-six ^vounded and taken prisoners. The 
loss on our side was thirty-nine killed, and one hundred 
and eleven wounded. The next day, fm-t Erie and all 
tht remaining British fortifications were blown up. 

The British, collecting all their forces, amounting to 
about thirteen hundred men, retreated towards the head 
of the lake, at the upper end of Burlington bay. If 
closely pursued, they must inevitably fall into the hands 
of the Americans, and thus would be terminated the 
contest along the north-wertern frontier. On the first 
of June, generals Chandler and Winder, were despatch- 
ed with nearly double the force, to effect this all-impor- 
tant object. This force advanced to vStoney Creek, 
where they encamped, in expectation of being able to 
overtake the enemy the next day. These, finding no 



G3 HISTOP.Y OF THE WAK. 

hope of escaping but through a night attack, about one 
o'clock the same night, rushed suddenly upon the main 
guard, and raising a dreadful shout, ran towards the 
main body of the Americans, who were lying on their 
arn)s, and being roused by this, the twenty-fifth regi-' 
ment was instantly formed and gave the enemy the first 
lire. But the darkness of the night, and the clouds of 
smoke, rendering it impossible to distinguish objects, 
some confusion ensued. A number of the British be- 
came intermixed with the American artillerists, and 
the two American generals, while endeavouring to "as- 
certain the cause, were taken prisoners. At day-break, 
tlie American army was found entire, but the enemy had 
retreated in great disorder, their spirits completely brok- 
en by this unexpected reception, and now giving up all 
for lost. "Unfortunately for us, no officer w as left in 
command, whose station was such as to warrant the re- 
sponsibility of pursuing the vanquished enemy. Colonel 
Brown, on a consultation with his officers, resolved on a 
retreat, which was effected ; and the British, under gen- 
eral Vincent, soon after receiving reinforcements, w^ere 
enabled to maintain their ground. 

The absence of commodore Chauncey, and the Ame- 
rican forces from. Sackett's Harbour, had well nigh given 
an opportunity to the British of retaliating the capture 
of York. Towards the latter end of May, the British 
sqadron, with about twelve hundred men, suddenly ap- 
peared before the harbor. The alarm was instantly 
given, and the regulars and militia posted in the neigh- 



RUSSIAN MEDIATION, &C. 69 

bouiliood, hastened to the aid of those left to defend tlie 
place, which did not' amount to one half the number of 
the assailants. The command was assumed by general 
Brown, of the militia. The militia undei* colonel Mills, 
posted to oppose their landing, after one fire, fled in the 
most shameful manner, in spite of the eftbrts of their 
commander. A more efficient resistance was made by 
the regulars under colonel Baccus, and major Lavalle 
and Aspinwall, but who were compelled to retreat. In 
the mean time, general Brown having rallied the militia, 
fell on the enemy's rear, and compelled them to flj with 
great precipitation, and utterly discomfited. The Ame- 
rican loss was about one hundred and fifty, in killed and 
wounded ; that of the British, at least double that num- 
ber. Sir George Prevost, tUe governor of Canada, re- 
tired, leaving his laurels behind him. Had this attack 
proved successful, the loss to the United States, would 
have been immense, as this place was the store-house of 
all their military supplies, both for the naval and land 
service. A considerable quantity of public stores were 
unfortunately destroyed by our o^vn ofHcers, under a 
belief that the enemy had obtained possession of the 
place. 

In the midst of those occurences, which in general 
wore so brillant an appearance, we experienced a severe 
re^'-erse. General Lewis, who assumed the command 
ufter the resignation of general Dearborne, finding him- 
self infested by several large detachments of the enemy, 
in the neighborhood effort George, where he had fixed 



70 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

his head quarters, ordered colonel Bccrstler to march 
with about live iiimdred men, and disperse oivs of these, 
at a place called La Louvre house. The colonel had 
not proceeded halfway, when he was assailed in front 
and rear by the British and Indians, and v/as co-npelled 
for some time to contend against very superior numbers. 
He was at last induced to surrender his whole force, 
greatly to the chagrin of the Americans, at being thus 
thrown away to no purpose. But for this affair, the 
opening of the campaign in this quarter v/ould have been 
regarded as far transcending our warmest expectations 
of success. 

About this time, the Six Nations declared v/ar 
against the British, with a formal proclamation, and en- 
tered into an alliance with the United States, stipulating, 
however, to denounce their barbarous usages in battle, 
which they faithfully kept. 

We now turn our attention for a moment to the 
westward, and the operations along the frontier of the 
Ohio. In that quarter a most glorious victory crowned 
our arms early in the month of August. Until that 
time, fort Meigs had- remained unmolested, while the 
Americans waited for the result of the naval war on 
lake Erie, before the adoption of any ulteiior movement. 
Proctor, desirous of embarrassing the preparations of 
Harrison, and of opening the frontier to the inroads of 
his allies, 'the savages, giving them an opportunity of 
murdering the sleeping b^e and helpless female, deter- 
mined to destroy the different forts which covered the 



RUSSIAN MEDIATION, SiC. 7i 

settlenients. Fort Stephenson, on the Sandusky, was 
tlie' first selectetl. To cover his real intention, he sent 
Tecumseh to make a push on fort Meigs, while he ap- 
peared before fort Stephenson, and demanded its sur- 
render. The officer commanding, was a youth of twen- 
ty-one years of age, major Croghan, who had already 
distinguished himself at the siege of fort Meigs. He 
had received orders to abandon this place on the ap- 
proach of the enemy, but taking all responsibility' upon 
himself, he boldly set the threats of the ungenerous ene- 
my at defiance. The fort was surrounded with pickets, 
and a ditch about six feet wide. The assailants, con- 
sisting of regulars and Indians, to the number of eight 
hundred, commenced the attack with several pieces of 
artillery, with which they attempted to make a breach. 
But those within, secured the point at which the artillery 
Vv'as directed, by placing bags of sand, and even of flour. 
They how resolved to attempt tlie place by storm. Co- 
lonel Short, with a column of three hundred and fifty 
men, takings advantage of the smoke, presented liimself 
at the point before- mentioned, and crying out "to his men 
to follow him, and to give the d— -d Yankies no quarters, 
landed in the ditch with nearly half of his men. His 
progress was sooner arrested than he could have expect- 
ed. The Americans, who were chiefly young volunteers, 
had carefully concealed a six pounder, the only one 
which they possessed, in the bastion which protected 
that part of the ditch : the match was put to it, and 
being loaded with slugs and musket balls, instantly cut 



72 HISTORY or THE \VAR. 

the savage assailants to pieces ; not one escaped from 
the fatal place ; a just dispensation of Providence, for 
their wicked intentions. The rolling musketry, at the 
same time, produced great havoc among those who were 
. still on the outside. The assailants lied, pursued by in- 
describable terror, while the Indians followed, without 
daring to cast a glance behind. During the night, ir- 
regular firing was kept up, while the humane and gene- 
rous Americans did every thing in their power to relieve 
the wounded in the ditch. The next morning, the ene- 
my disappeared in haste, leaving behind a considerable 
quantity of public stores. The loss of the British, ex- 
ceeded two hundred ; while the Americans was only a 
few wounded, and that while engaged in offering relief 
to the sufferers. 

Croghan and his brave comrades, captain Hunter, 
lieutenants Johnson, Baylor, Meeks and Anthony, were 
hailed with the loudest plaudits of their country. The 
first received the brevet rank of lieutenant-colonel in 
the regular service. The Indians after this defeat. 
Were so disgusted with their allies, that they were about 
to abandon them. The frontier was completely protec- 
ted from further molestation. 



CHAPTER X, 



lOaptuve of the^Brltish squadron on Lake Erie — Defeat 

of Proctor. 

Commodore Ferry, whose name now adorns the 
|)age of our history, was entrusted, at the commencement 
of the spring, with the important task ot creating a force 
to oppose the British, who, since the surrender of Hull, 
had rode triumphant on lake Erie. The tre«s that grew 
on its shores, were commanded to descend upon the 
w-aves, and bear our sailors to meet the haughty foe. By 
-the last of August, a fleet was provided, consisting of 
the following vessels : the Lawrence, of twenty-one ; the 
Niagara, of twenty ; the Caledonia, of three ; tlie Scor- 
pion and Somers, each of two; Ariel, of four; Tigress, 
Trippe, and Porcupine, each of one; in all amounting 
io iifty-ninfi guns. 



^4 HISTORY CF THE WAR. 

The British fleet, under comiiiodore Barclay, consisted 
of the Detroit, nineteen guns; Queen Charlotte, seven- 
teen ; Lady Prevost, thirteen ; Hunter, ten ; Little Belt, 
three; Chippewa, one ; in all 69 guns. This Heet was 
consequently superior in force to that of the AmericTins, 
although on their side there was a difterence in the num- 
ber of ships. 

No sooner was the American commodore otj the lake, 
than he went in pursuit of his antagonist, who Mi no 
wish to decline the meeting. This, however, did not 
take place untM the twelfth of September, near Put-in- 
baj. The American squadron at anchor, perceiving the 
British bearing down upon them, got under way. The 
American flag ship? the Lawrence, outsailed the rest of 
ihe squadron, and came to close quarters with the Queen 
Charlotte and the Detroit. Against these two vessels, the 
contest'was heroicall}^ maintained fortwo hours, until ev- 
ery g^m w'as rendered useless, and nearly all on board 
either killed or wounded. At this critical moment, the 
other American vessels wliich had been kept back were 
comin2;up, and the commodore, with admirable coolness, 
embarked in his boat. With the intentioia of shifting his 
flag to the Niagara. This was executed in the midst of 
a heavy fire. Captain Elliot immediately seconded his 
views, and while Perry led ap this vessel in a handsome 
style volunteered to bring the other vessels into action. 
The commodore, breaking through the enemy's line, 
' poured out such tremendous broadsides, as soon com- 
pelled ^the two largest vessels to strike, and the flag of 



f APTL^r.E OF THE I5RITISII SC^UADROX, CCC. 75 

the Lawrence, which had been hauled down, was again 
hoisted. Tlie remainder of the American fleet coming 
up, the acdon in a few minuted terminated in the capture ^ 
of tlie whole British squadron, a thing almost unexam- 
pled in naval wai'fare. ~ ■ 

*• We have met the enemif,'^ said commodore Perry, 
and they are ours : two ships, two brigs, one schooner, 
and one sloop.'* 

The number of prisoners exceeded that of the captors. 
Twenty-six wounded. Lieutenant Brooks, of the ma- 
rines, was killed, as also several valuable American offi- 
cers. The captain and first lieutenant of the Queen Char- 
lotte, were killed ; commodore Barclay was severely 
wounded. The conduct of the victors to the unfortu- 
nate, was on this occasion marked by its usual humanity 
and generosity. 

By this event the field of glory was laid open to gener- 
al Harrison, and the brave volunteers of Kentucky and 
Ohio. The choicest troops of the west, were already 
collected for the purpose of following up the success of 
Perry, if it should please Provddonce to award it. The 
venerable governor of Kentucky, Samuel Shelby, was at 
the head of the volunteers of that state, accompanied by 
the first men of the commonwealth. The troops being 
taken onboard the fleet, were transported to the Canada 
side, where they found the villages and forts evacuated, 
Proctor having fled in dismay up the Thames. After 
leaving general ^PArthur, to take command at Detroit, 
general Harrison, at the head of about three thousand 



HISTOEY OF TAB WAS. 

fctn. •: cmrzi-^LZtril a rapiil march is pursuit of the fu»i- 
iire army. In a few dars, he gained upon thens so n- 
fidlj.as Tocaptare conaderable quantities of their stores. 
On the fifth of October, ir was discovered ibat near the 
MoraTian towns within a few bo^u^ march, they were 
dnwH up in battle arraj. Having formed his troops in- 
to tw» lines, consistisg of Desha's aad Trotters's brig- 
ades, imder graeral Henrv, with the mounted men of 
col^iel Juknsmk ia frsiit, he advanced against the ene- 
■IT, who were found drawn up between a river and a 
Miarsh. with the Indians under Tec^msdi, in the thick 
brui^' w >od «£ the swamp. It suddenly suggested 
its^ to ^nerai Harrison, to make a charge with 
las mottRted men through the Sridsh is fan try, drawn 
]^ ajoosg die €>pea beacli wood. Fortane award - 
~ed the cost complete STiccess to this suggesiicia. John- 
scddenlT dashed . laerr ranks, formed in thtir 



rear and was ~^ .:^^ i'> give tliem a £re wi Ji the 
deadlj ride, - .. „ ,cv surrendered- With the Indians, 
the contest was more obsdnxLte ; tiiej at nrss made some 
imjBnesaoB apiMi the Amtaiean iiiiaiitry, wiien governor 
dhelbj bnm^t up a regimeijt to their support. The In- 
dians fono:'it desperaiely, as long as the I^ud and terri- 
ble cbout of Tecumseli, encouri^ging theia to persisit, 
caakA be heard ; but alreadv his days were numbered. 
C^oad JohBsoik led a charge <m the Indians, at the 
spot where it was supposed the obstinate resistance 
wae Bade. An hcndreu rifles v. ere aimed at him : he 
n 5.i rns-^r^ ^'ith bl<-'od and wo^ods j his horse wa: 



CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH Sai^ADRON, &C. 77 

about to drop under him, when Tecumseh, with savage 
ferocitv, sprung towards him, and was about to level his 
rifle, when the colonel lodged a pistol ball in his breast 
The daring American was in an instant brought ott by 
liis countrvmen, and d\e Indians fled. . 

General Proctor had, in the meantime, made his es- 
cape bv means of swift horses. 

W conduct of the Kenfuckian., who had been v, ely 
slandered bv Proctor, «-as magnanimous m the highest 
de.'rec. Thev returned not evil for evU, but to the 
prfsoners in tlieir possession, many of whom had partici- 
pated in the horrid murders of the river Raism, tiiey 
were humane and attentive. The immediate conse- 
quence of the defeat of the allies, and the death of Te- 
cumseh. was a cessation of hostilities on the part^of the 
sav^es : they camein and agreed to take up the hatchet 
on Ae side 'of tlie- United States. The whole of the 
noitli western temtory w^s once more in possession of 
the Americans, wi.h the exception of Michiliraackina^, 
which was not given up tintil the close of the war. The 
volunteers and militia returned to their home*, and gen- 
eral Harrison was at lil erty with thi remainder of his 
troops to co-operate witli the forces on tlie Niagara. 

Commodore Chauncev, at this time, was master ot 
lake Ontario. He had repeatedly attempted to bring his 
antac^onist to action, but in vain. Several running fights, 
however, took place, in which the British knigtit display- 
ed great naval skill in making his escape. Tins sbj-ness 
was not a little increased by the victory oDlamea by 

7* 



7'8 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

commodore Perrj ; in fact, after this occuiTence, he 
studiously avoided coming to action with but a superior- 
ity so decided as to leave no doubt of the result. 

The nation was in the highest degree delighted with the 
glorious termination of the western war/ Fortune ap- 
peared to smile upon their arms at last. Canada must 
now be ours. Tke administration, anxious to gratify the 
public expectations, lost no time in making the attempt. 
The general in command, was an old and experienced 
officer, of acknowledged abilities ; general Wilkinson had 
been ordered from the south, and in the course of the 
summer, had assumed the directions of the military ope- 
rations on the Niagara; while Hampton, another of expe- 
rience, took command of the forces at Plattsburgh. 
The Secretary, general Armstn ni?, possessed the confi- 
dence of the nation for bis capacity, and the vigorous 
measures which he seemed to adopt. This officer,in or- 
der to be near the field of action, and direct the move- 
ments of the army, established his office near the frontier. 
The army of general Wilkinson, in the month of Octo- 
ber, was transfeiTed to Sacket's Harbour, leaving but a 
small nnmber of troops on the Niagara, where general 
Harrison did not arrive until some time after his depar- 
ture. The destination of the army was studiously con- 
cealed. Such dispositions were made, however, as in- 
duced the enemy to believe, that the design was to at- 
tack Kingston, while the intention was in reality, to de- 
scend the river St. Lawrence, and forming a junction 



CA.PTIJUE OF THE BRITISH SQ.rADRON, &C. 79 

with general Hampton, proceed directly to Montreal, 
thus completely girdling the tree, and mastering all Up- 
per Canada. The season, however, was almost so far 
advanced, and this althouo;]\ practicable the first year, 
had become muph more difficult, from the time which 
had been allowed the enemy to discipline their militia, 
augment their forces and fortify the river. 

It was net before the third of November, that general 
Wilkinson could get fairly under way, while he began 
already to experience the severity of the season. The 
British were anxiously watching his movements. Choos- 
ing a dark night, he passed the fortified post called Pres- 
cot, but not undiscovered : in his descent, he was a good 
deal annoyed by their musketry, and the next morning 
they were found hanging on his rear with all the force 
that could be collected. Having to pass the rapids of 
the river, of about eight miles in length, general Brown 
was detached with a considerable force to clear the way 
for the passage of the flotilla. This was not enected 
without considerable difficulty ; general Brown, after 
a smart skirmish, dispersed the enemy, but it being too 
late to proceed, a considerable force was discovered in 
the rear on the Canada side ; a halt was therefore com- 
manded, while general Boyd was ordered to face about 
with his brigade, and beat off the enemy. The Ameri- 
cans were drawn up in three columns, commanded by 
generals Covington, Swartwout and Coles. After a 
warm actioD, which lasted an hovir, in which the enemy 



80 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

was obliged to giv^e Avaj before the bayonet, they were at 
length compeiled to retreat. The Americans having ex- 
pended their ammunition, were obliged to make a retro- 
gade movement. A violent storm arose about the sam)* 
time, which together with the approach of night, contri- 
buted to clear the field of battle. From the place in 
which it was fought, this has been called the battle of 
Chrystler's field ; on the American side, there were 
about sixteen hundred ; the force of the British was 
about the same. The American loss was three hundred, 
and thirty-nine in killed and wounded ; among the for- 
mer, general Covington, a brave and gallant officer. 
The enemy's loss is supposed to have been still greater. 
There is no doubt of their defeat, as they were thence- 
forth compelled to suffer the Americans to continue their 
course unmolested. General Wilkinson, on reaching 
O'J-dcnsburg, had sent orders to general Hampton to meet 
him at St. Regis, at which place he had now arrived, but 
without finding him. This oflicer, from the disclosure 
made to luin, of the state of general Vvllkinson's supplies, 
and from the distance he would be placed from his ma- 
gazines, together with the great difficulties of transporta- 
tion, on account of the badness of the roads, had con- 
cluded to take upon himself the responsibility of con- 
sulting these circumstances. He had, therefore, at- 
tempted to peneti-ate to the St. Lawrence in another di- 
rection, but without success, and after falling back, was 
then at ^a place called the Four Corners, where he wait- 
ed the orders of the comraander-in- chief, professing still 



CAPTURE OF TUB BRITISH SQUADPvON, 6cC. 81^ 

a wiiiingness to co-operate in any plan he might adopt, 
Tims' terminated the mighty invasion of Canada, from 
which so much v>as expected. The commanding gene- 
ral, in order to excuse himself, threw the olame on Haujp- 
ton, and the secretary at war, on both. But the tnitfi 
is, the season had been too far advanced, and the force 
not sufiicient for the contemplated enterprise. The 
disappointment to the nation, however, tended to bring 
into discredit the leaders in this campaign, which turn- 
ed out sa barren of glory. The army retired into win- 
ter quarters. 

This military movement was calculated only on sue- 
cf^s ; no allowance was made for the possibility of a fail- 
ure. The bad eifects of this were soon experienced. 
General Harrison had received orders (o move down the 
St. Lawrence, and join the army, the whole Niagara fron- 
tier was therefore left unprotected. General M'^Ciure, 
who was left in command at fort George, finding that 
the enemy was approaching in considerable numbers, 
blew up the fort and evacuated the Canada side ; at 
the same time, burning the village of Newark, situate 
near the fort; an act, at the time, universally censured 
and lamented in the United States, and which the gov- 
ernment took the earliest opportunity to disavow. It- 
seems the general had received orders to burn the vil- 
lage, in case it should be found necessary for defence ; 
misconceiving these orders, he sat fire to the place on his 
departure. His conduct was submitted to a court of in- 
quiry, which passed a severe censure on it. T!»8 Bri- 



8)2 HISTOllY OF THE WAR. 

tlsh.not content with' this, crossed the river in consider- 
able force, took fort Niagara by surprise, put the garri- 
sonto death, and- then hud waste, with fire and sword, 
the vv'lioie frontier, for ten or tifceen miles. The tlour- 
islung village of Buffaloe was kid in asiies, together 
with several others. It was afterwards declared, by sir 
George Prevost, that he was satisfied with this ample 
measure of retaliation ! 



CHAPTER XI. 



War on the Atlantic sea-coast — Disgraceful conduct of 

the British, 

"I 

The first year of the war, found England too busily 
engaged in the gi-eat events of Europe, to think of bend- 
ing her mind to the contest with America. Except- 
ing a general, proclamation of blockade, our Atlantic 
jcpsLsf. was ^ot ?nolest<id. In the year 1813, she sat 
about carrying on hostilities m a more serious manner. 
She had threatened much of burning all the American 
sea-port towns, and laying waste the country. She 
thought to intimidate us by these barbarous threats. 

In the month of March, the Poictiers made her appear- 
ance ill the, Delaware, and sending out shallops com- 



84 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

menced a pitiful species of marauding warfare. The 
property of private citizens was the object of their ambi- 
tion, liiy the rules of war, the persons and property of 
non-combatants are exempted from the devastations of 
war. Without benefiting the cause for which they 
fought, tl)e British ruined many of tiie inhabitants of the 
country. Admiial Ceresford, the commander, of the 
squadron, made a demand on the inhabitants of Lewis- 
town for water and provisions, and on being refused, he 
made an ineiTectual attem^it to obtain them on compul- 
jiion, by bombarding the place. The militia under colo- 
nel Davis and major Hunter, manfully resisted every at- 
tacL 

From the Delaware, the}' proceeded to the Chesa- 
peakii, where their course was mari^^ed by the most law- 
less depredations and conflagrations. The genius of his- 
tory blushes as she records them. There is not one 
solitary act of benevolence or magnanimity, to rescue 
the character of the British officeris and seamen from the 
dark disgrace.' Indiscriminate havoc was every where 
committed. One of theiv first exptdits, was plundering 
and destroying the small village of French'itown, a place 
of mercantile deposit and transit, on Elk river^ From 
Frenchtown, tliey proceeded to'ttaVre-dei'(!?race, wliere 
tbey perpetrated the grossest outrages on decency arici 
humanity, without tlie slightest pretext. Every house of 
this little village was consigned to the flames, and a 
scene of the most disgraceful plunder was acted, in 
which ofiicers and men mingled alike; the plunder con- 



^VAR ON rrilE ATLA^fTlC SEA COAST, &C. 83 

sisted of household furniture, bed cloths, pans, and 
spoons ! — They burnt and destroyed several valuable 
Bianufactories, after which they went to the neat village 
church, not to ask forgiveness of their sins, but in order 
to wreak their vengeance on this peaceful dwelling, by 
defacing it in the most shameful manner. After this, 
they perpretated the same acts to the two villages of 
Fredericktown and Georgetown. This unworthy war- 
fare continued until tlie latter part of June, when their 
movements indicated an attack upon the town of Nor- 
folk. On the lower part of the bay, the militia, on sev- 
eral occasions, bravely put the marauders to flight. The 
Virginians, and Marylandors, were frequently called out 
from their houses, and much harrassed through the 
whole season, from the continually shifting scene of the 
war. The coast is so much intersected with creeks and 
rivers, that it was impossible for any force to move rapid- 
ly from one point to another, to repel this desultary war- 
fare. The great object being the defence of Norfolk, the 
ti'oops were kept in the neiglibourhood of that place, and 
there was no. considerable naval force to protect the wa- 
ters. 

This place v/as committed to the charge of general 
Taylor, of the militia of Virginia. No one could be 
more capable of providing the numerous minute pre- 
cautions for executing the plans requisite to be adopted. 
The town of Norfolk was hap^jly saved, by the valor of 
the marines and militia, and the state of Virginia relived 
from a most dangerous enemy ; for had possession ./been 



86 HISTORY o:p the war. 

taken of this place, the enemy could have done them 
incalculable mischief. Wherever the enemy met a 
steady resistance from the regular troops or militia, after 
this they retreated precipitately to their boats, or return- 
ed to their fleet. The chief leader in this warfare, so 
dishonorable to the British nation, was admiral Cock- 
burn, whose conduct was, on every occasion, that of a 
Jerocious, unfeeling bucanier. 

On the twenty-first of June, the movements indicated 
an attack on Craney Island, and on the next day, they 
landed upwards of two thousand men, for the purpose of 
assailinu: the batteries on the west end of the island. 
Shortly after the debarkation of these troops, forty -five 
or fifty boats, filled with sailors and marines, left the 
shipping and approached the north side of the island. 
The naval force of the United States, united in defence 
of the port ; the enemy was completely beaten off. His 
loss vv^as not less than two hundred men, besides de- 
serters. Four or five barges were sunk. The Centipede, 
fifty feet long, admiral Warren's boat, with twenty-four 
oars, was captured, with twenty-two prisoners, a brass 
tliree pounder, and a number of muskets, pistols and cut- 
lasses. Forty British deserters were brought in, and 
many others were dispersed through the country. There 
was not a man lost on the American side during the day. 

The enemy, exasperated at this inglorious attempt, 
in order to give a loose to his thirst for reven^i-e, resolved 
to attack the village of Hampton, lower down the bay; 
On the twenty -fifth of June, he landed two thousand 



WAR ON THE ATXAXTIC SEA COAST, &C. S? 

five hundred men, and after a gallant resistance on the 
part ofthe militia and a few regjulars who were there, 
the town was taken. The scene which ensued, far sur- 
passed any thing ever before acted by ihe ferocious ene- 
my, with whom we had to contend ; such conduct should 
be held up to universal execration, in order that the con- 
demnation of public opinion may prevent the recurrence 
of the like among civilized people. The utmost licen- 
tiousness was permitted, in the treatment of the unfortu- 
nate females, who fell in the power of the enemy ; with- 
out regard to their respectability in society, they were 
seized\y ruffians, and several of them actually died in 
consequence of the shocking treatment they received. 
A poor old man, sick abed, was set up by them, and 
shot, in the arms of his aged wife, who was also wound- 
ed ; and their faithful dog was put to death. The sick 
in the hospitals were not spared, and every act of sa- 
vage violence was committed, apparently without any 
Attempt to restrain the perpetrators. A letter on the 
subject of this infamous conduct, which so deeply impli- 
cated the character ofthe British nation, was addressed 
by general Taylor to sir Sidney Beckwith, who at first 
stated, that it was in retaliation for the shooting a man 
at Craney Island, while he hung to a barge that overset, 
A court of inquiry was immediately instituted, which 
completely disapproved the charge; on this being commu- 
nicated to sir Sidney, he sent a verbal reply, that he was 
sorry for the excesses committed by his troops, but that 
he would, in future, prevent their falling into such con- 



538 IIISTqRY OF THE WAR. 

duct. A savage diieftian could have alleged the same 
kind of excuse, for the ungovernable warrriors whom he 
led. The subject underwent an examination before a 
committee of Congress, who reported upon it in terms 
as strong as language could express them. It is most 
sincerely to be lamented, that greater regard was not 
paid to the feelings of America by tlie British govern- 
ment; for these affairs must unavoidably render it diffi- 
cult for the restoration of harmony and good understand- 
ing,' which it isundoubtly the interest of both nations to 
cherish. For the remainder of the season, the enemy 
contented himself with^ his petty war of plunder, and 
occasionally threatening the towns south of the Delaware. 
Having thus^ given an account of what happened on 
the coast, a war which redounded so little to the honor 
of England, we shall pass in review the important war 
of the south, with the Creek Indians, wliich was close- 
ly connected with the hostilities with Enghmd. Very 
soon after the commencement of the war, the Seminole 
Indians, on the borders of Georgia, with a number of 
runaway negroes, began to mal^e inroads, and to infest 
the frontiers. On the eleventh of September, 1812, cap- 
tain Williams, of the marines, convoying some waggons, 
loaded with military supplies, was attacked by a party 
of these people, and was compelled to retreat with the 
loss of several men, himself receiving a wound, of which 
he afterwards died. Towards the close of the same 
month colonel Norman, with about one hundred Geor- 
gian volunteers, proceeded towards the Latchway towns^ 



WAR ON THE ATLANTIC SEA COAST, &C. 89 

with a view of chastising the savages. He was attacked 
by a large body of Indians, and after a sharp conflict, 
compelled them to fly, leaving tlieir king Paine, on the 
ground ; after repeated efforts to gain the dead body, 
they at length succeeded by bringing up additional 
numbers, after which they moved oiF. They soon after 
returned, however, with a still more powerful party.; 
the Georgians, apprehending this, had hastily thrown 
up abreast work, in which they were soon closely be- 
sieged. The siege was kept up for some days, until 
they found it impossible to do any thing, on which they 
retired, but returned in a littie while under the belief, 
from the stillness which reigned in the camp, that the 
Americans had abandoned it. On crowding up to it, 
they were salute^d with a volley or two, which sent 
them howling to the woods. After this the Georgiaqs 
decamped, and reached the place from whence tliey set 
out, after, encountering no small degree of fatigup. This 
affair had a most favorable operation on the minds of the 
savages, who were thenceforth exceedingly shy of the 
settlements. 

, A more serious war broke out in the course of the year 
1813, with the Creek nation. The American govern- 
ment had taken great pains to civilize these people, and 
.had spared . no expense to effect this humane object. 
But its endeavours had niet with no more than a partial 
.success, ibr many of the natives ol^stinateiy adhered to 
-tjieir Indian manners, and violently opposed the intro- 
^uctigjii ©f tbe- acts of civiUzation. The ceieBrated Te- 
8*' 



90 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

cumseh had paid them a yisit, in which he threw among 
them additional causes of discord. A civil war took 
place, and the savage part of the nation proved the 
strongest, the rest were either compelled to fly, or to 
join those who were for war with the United vStates. A 
wonderful degree of superstition and fanaticism were 
brought into play on the occasion ; they were led to be- 
lieve, by their priests or magicians, that they would cer- 
tainly defeat us by the assistance of their potent 
charms. The credulous creatures were persuaded, by 
these conjuries, to destroy all their cattle, so that there 
should be nothing among them that might wear tlie ap- 
pearance of civilization. They were further stimulated 
by the British agents, who also gave them some supply of 
arms, and made them promises of assistance. If was not, 
however, until towards the close of August, that hostili- 
ties openly commenced on their part ; but this was a com- 
isencement of a most shocking kind. 

Foreseeing the approaching storm, the settlers on the 
Mobile and Alabama, had collected in small forts, or 
stations, erected for their security. At one of these call- 
led tort Maine, about three hundred persons, men, wo- 
men and children, had taken refuge. It was defended 
by major Beasty, of the Mississippi territory, with 
about one hundred and thirty volunteers. A party of 
five hundred Creeks, suddenly appeared before this place, 
and attacked it at noon day. Unfortunately, the gate 
happened to be standing open, as the Indians rushed to- 
wards it with a hideous shout. The major attempted to 



WAR OS THE ATXAl^TIC SEA COAST, &C. 91 

close the gate, and fought with bravery while life re- 
mained, tor he soon fell mortally, wounded. The In- 
dians were at length repelled, with the exception of a 
few who liad taken the block-house, from which they were 
after some time dislodged. A second assault was made, 
which unhappily proved more successful. A breach 
was made in the pickets, and the s^va^es gained posses- 
sion of the area of the fort, but not without great loss. 
From the houses or barracks in which the troops had tak- 
en shelter, a fight was still kept up for some time, but 
tJiey succeeded at last in setting fire to the roofs. Dread- 
ful were the agonizing shrieks of the wTetched victims 
of this infernal tragedy. With the exception of a few 
privates, who made their escape over the pickeis, the 
whole of these unhappy people perished by savage vio- 
lence, or were consumed by the flames. 

This atrocious outrage, demanded a prompt retalia- 
tion. The Indians, having thus wantonly violated the 
peace, wliich had been for so many years established be- 
tween them and the whites, the governments o- the near- 
est states, of Georgia and Tennessee, and also of the Mis- 
sissippi territory, witliout delay concerted measures for 
carrying war into the country of the Creeks. To do tliis 
at once, and eftectively, was the only way to ensure 
safety to the exposed frontiers, at the same time to pre- 
vent the rising of the southern Indians. There is but 
little doubt, that all this might have been prevented, if 
the United States had condescended to employ the In- 
dians in the prevailing war. The infernal policy of the 



92 HISTORY OP THE WAR, 

British government, in employing and in exciting these 
short sighted people, was the cause of tlie unliappy fate, 
wMch as a just retribution overt<K)k the Creeks. A se- 
ries of brilliant victories over this desperate and delud- 
ed foe, gasned bj generals Floyd, of Georgia, Coffee, 
White, and Jackson, of Tennessee, in the course ot one 
'season, liumbled them in the dust. 

On the shortest notice, general Jackson brought to- 
gether a brigade of mounted riflemen and cavalry, and 
immediately penetrated the Creek country. On the se- 
cond of November, he detached general Coffee with 
about 900 men, to destory the TuUushatches town, 
where a considerable body of warriors had assembled. 
A party was sent to draw them out, which completely 
succeeded, and the Creeks found themselves suddenly 
opposed to the American force. They notwithstanding, 
fought with astonishing desperation, but were at last 
compelled to retreat to their village, where they con- 
tinued their resistance, obstinately refusing quarters, 
until every one perished. The women and children of 
-the village, to the number of eighty, were taken prison- 
ers. Coffee had five men killed, and forty -one slightly 
wounded. 

On the morning of the seventh, a friendly Indian 
-brought intelligence to general Jackson, that about thir- 
ty miles below his camp, there were a number of Creeks 
'Collected, at a place called Talladega, engaged in ' be- 
sieging some friendly Indians, who must inevitably per- 
ish, uftless speedily relieved* ^e marched at twelve 



WAR ON THK ATLANTIC SEA COAST, &C. 93 

O'clock the same night, at tlie head of twelve hundred 
men, and arrived within six miles of the place next 
evening. At midnight, he again advanced, and by se- 
ven o'clock, was within a mile of the enemy. Having 
approached ahnost nnperccived, wilhln eighty yards of 
the Indians, the battle commenced on their part with 
o-reat fury, but being repulsed on all sides, they at- 
tempted to make their escape, hut soon found them- 
selves inclosed ; but two companies having at first giv- 
ing wav, a space was left, through which a considerable 
rimnber of the enemy escaped, and were pursued to the 
mountains with great slaughter. In this action, the 
American loss was fifteen killed and eighty wounded. 
That of the Creeks was little short of three hundred; 
their whole force exceeded a thousand. 

General Cocke, who commanded the other division of 
the Tennessee militia, on the eleventh, detached gener- 
al White, from fort Armstrong, where he was encamp, 
cd against the hostile towns on tiie I'allapoose river. 
After marching the whole night of the seventeenth, he 
surprised a town at day -light, containing upwards of 
three hundred warriors, sixty of whom were killed, and 
the rest taken prisoners. Having burnt several of their 
villages, which had been deserted, he returned on the 
twenty-tliird, without losing a single man. 

Tlie Georgia militia, under general Floyd, advanced 
into the Creek country, about the last of the month. 
Receiving information that a great number of Indiana 
were collected at the Autosse towns, on the Tallap-ooee. 



9"^ HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

river, a place Vvhich they called their beloved grounci, 
and where, according to the prophets, no white man could 
molest them; general Floyd, placing himself at the 
head of nine hundred militia, and four hundred friendly 
Creeks, marched from his encampment on the Ciiata- 
houchie. On the evening of the twenty-eighth, he en- 
camped within ten miles of the place, and resuming his 
march at one o'clock. Tie reached the towns about six, 
and commenced an attack upon both at the same mo- 
ment. His troops were met by the Indians, with uncom- 
mon bravery ; and it was not until after a severe bat- 
tle, that they were forced, by his musketry and bayo- 
nets, to fly to the thickets and copses, in the rear of the 
towns. In the course of three hours, the enemy was 
completely defeated, and the villages in flames. Eleven 
Americans were killed, and fifty wounded, among the 
latter, the general himself ; of the enemy, it is suppos- 
ed, that besides the Autoesee and Tallassee kings, up- 
wards of two imndred were killed. n 

This just retribution, it was hoped, would bring these 
wretched creatures to a proper sense of their situation; 
but unfortunately, it had not this effect, they still per- 
sisted in their hostdities against us. In the month of 
December, general Claiborne marched a detachment 
against the towns of Eccanachaca, on the Alabama river. 
On the twenty -second, he came suddenly upon them, 
killed thirty of their warriors, and after destroying their 
villages, returned with a trifiing lofes. 



WAR ON THE ATLA*fTIC SEA COAST, &C. 95 

After the battle of Talladega, general Jackson was 
left with but a handful of men, in consequence of the 
term of the militia having expired. On the fourteenth 
of January, he was fortunately reinforced by eight hun- 
dred volunteers from Tennessee, and soon after, by sev-^ 
eral hundred friendly Indians. He was shortly after 
jomed by general Coifee, with a number of officei's, his 
militia having also returned home. On the seventeenth,' 
with a view of making a diversion in favour of general 
Floyd, and at the same time to relieve fort Armstrong, 
which was said to be threatened, he penetrated the In- 
dian country. On the evening of the twenty-first, be- 
lieving himself, from appearances, in the vicinity of a 
large body of Indians, he encamped, with great orecau- 
tion, and placiBd hhnself in the best attitude of defence, 
about day-light, he was furiously attacked, and after a 
severe contest, the Creeks were compelled once more 
to yield. They fled in every direction. 

General Jackson, being apprehensive of another at- 
tack, fortified his camp for the night ; the next day, fear- 
ing a want of provisions, he found it necessary to retreat, 
and before night reached Enotachopco, having passed a 
dangerous defile without interruption. In tlie morning, 
he had to cross a defile still more dangerous, where he 
might expect an attack ; he therefore determined to pass 
at some other point. The most judicious arrangements 
having been made, for the disposition of his force, in case 
of an attack, he moved forwards, towards the pass which 
he had selected. The front guard, with part of the flank 



96 niJ^ToR\ oi Tin: war. 

Cv^yinn?, (ofl:^ther \riOi the wounded, had scarcely cro»r 
-xl tae creek, when ilie ?Jarm vns gi\-en in tlie rear. 
JacksoD, immediatelv gsve orders for his right and left 
colamns to wheel on their pivot, and crossing: t]\e stream 
AboTC and l>elo\r, assail the. fianks and rear of xae enemy, 
acd thHs ccTn|JeteiT enclose them. Bat to his aston- 
"fhment ar.d mortincation, when the woi-d was given fur 
laese columns to farm, and a few guns were fired,, they 
precipitately gave way. Tms nnaccouniable flight had 
well nigh proved fatal : it drew along with it the greater 
part of the centre coinmn. leading not more than twenty- 
five men, who being formed by col^iel Carrol, maint^n- 
ed iheir groiind for a time against overwhelming num- 
bers. All tnat could now be opposed to the enemy, 
were the few wiio nsaiained of the rear guard, the artil- 
lerv ccHopanv, and captain - Rapel's company of spies. 
Their condoct. however, was admirable. Lieutenant 
Armstrong, with the utmost coolness and intrepidity, 
di-ag:^^.. with liie assistance of a few more, the six pound- 
er up the hill, although exposed to a heavy fire : and 
having gained hi? position, loaded the piece with grape, 
and fired it with such effect, that after a few discharges, 
the enemT ^as repulsed. The Icdians were pursued 
for several miles, by colonel Carrol, colonel Higgins, and 
captains Elliot aind Pipkins. Captain Gordon, of the 
spies, had partly succeeded in turning their fiank, and 
bv this impetaotts charjre, coatnbuteti grearly to £5 store 
the dav. The Americans now continued their march 
^viihoui fimher mikBtatioa. JU^ these di^erent engage- 



WAR ON THE ATLANTIC SEA COAST, 6cC. 97 

ments, about twenty Americans were killed, and seven- 
ty-five wounded ; iu the last, about one hundred and 
ei^ty of the Creeks were slain. 

General Fiovd, who was advancing from the Chata- 
houtliie, was attacked in his camp by a large body of 
Indians, an hour before day. They stole upon the sen- 
tinel*, fired upon them, and then rushed with great im- 
petuosity towards the line, llie action soon became 
general : the front of both flanks was closely pressed, 
but the firmness of the officers and men, repelled their 
assaults at every point. As soon as it became sufficient- 
ly light, general Floyd strengthened his right wing, and 
formed his cavalry in the rear, then directed a charge ; 
^e enemy were driven before the bayonet, and being 
pursued by the cavalry, many of them were killed. The 
loss of general Floyd, was seventeen killed, and one 
hundred and thirty-two wounded. That of the Indians 
could not be ascertained ; thirty- seven of their warriors 
were left dead on the field, but it is thou^t their loss 
was very considerable. 

It migiit be supposed that these repeated defeats, 
might tend to destroy the influence of these fanatical 
prophets, among the unhappy Creeks 5 but they still per- 
sisted, in the most unaccountable manner, in complet- 
ing their own ruin. General Jackson, having received 
considerable reinforcements from Tennessee, and being 
joined by a number of friendly Indians, set out on aa 
expedition to Tallapoose river. He proceeded from the 
Coose on the twentv-fourth of March, reached the €outh» 

9 



98 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

crn extremity of the New Youca on the twenty -sev- 
enth, at a place called the Horse-shoe bend of the Coosc, 
Hvhere the Creeks had selected a strong natural position, 
and having fortified it, av/aited the attack of their ene- 
mies. A breast-work had been thrown up across the 
neck, of considerable strength and compactness. The 
wamors from Oakfushkee, Oakshaya, Hillebes, the Fish 
Ponds, and Eupauta towns, had collected their force at 
tiiis place, in number exceeding a thousand. 

On the morning of the twenty-seventh, general Jack- 
son detached general Coifee with the mounted men and 
Indians, to surround the bend, while he advanced with 
the main body of the troops, to assail the breast works. 
At half past ten, he planted his artillery within two 
hundred yards of their works. A brisk cannonade was 
opened upon the centre, and a severe fire was kept up 
with musketry and rifles, when the Indians ventured to 
show themselves behind their defences. General Coffee 
having executed his order, his Indians no sooner heard 
the firing in front, than a number dashing into the 
stream, swam across, and bringing back the canoes of 
the Creeks, enabled their comrades to pass over, which 
ihey did, and attacking the Creeks, drove them from 
the shelter of their cabins up to the breast works. 

Generel Jackson, finding that his arranguients were 
now complete, at length yielded to the earnest solicita- 
tions of his men to be led to the charge. The rugular 
troops, led by colonel Williams and major Montgomery, 
were in a moment^ in possession of the nearest part of 



WAR ON THE ATLANTIC SEA COAST, &C. ^9 

the breast-works : the militia accompanied them ^vith 
equal firmnesss and intrepidity. Having maintained, 
for a few minutes, a very obstinate contest, muzzle to 
muzzle, through the port holes, they succeeded in gain- 
ing the opposite side of the works. The event could no 
longer be doubtful ; the enemy, although many of theui 
fought with that kind of bravery which desperation in- 
spires, were cut in pieces. The whole margin of the 
river, which surrounded the peninsula, was strewed 
with the slain. Five hundred and fifty -seven were 
found, besides those thrown into the river by their friends, 
or drowned in attempting to escape. Not more than 
fifty could have escaped. Among the slain, was their 
great prophet Manahoe, and two others of less note. 
About three hundred women and children were taken 
prisoners. Jackson's loss, was twenty-six white men 
killed, and one hundred and seven wounded f eighteen 
Cherokees killed, and thirty-six wounded ; and five 
friendly Creeks killed, and eleven wounded. 

This most decisive victory, put an end to the Creek 
war. The spirit and power of these misguided men 
were completely broken: Jackson soon after scoured 
the countries on the Coose and Tallapoose; a party of 
the enemy, on the latter river, on his approach, fled to 
Pensacola. The greater part of the Creeks now came 
forward, and threw themselves at the mercy of the vic- 
tors. A detachment of militia from North and South 
Carolina, under the command of colonel Pearson, scour- 
ed the country on the Alabama, and received the sub- 



lOO HtSTOtlY OP THE AVAR, 

mission of a great number of Creek waniours and thek 

prophets. 

In the course of the summer, a treaty of peace was 

dictated to them by Jackson, on severe but just terms. 

They agreed to yield a portion of their country as an in- 

indemnity for the expenses of the war ; they conceded 
the privilege of opening roads through their country, 
and navigating their rivers; they stipulated to hold no 
intercourse with any British or Spanish post, or garrison^ 
and to deliver up the property they had taken from the 
whites and friendly Indians. The general, on the part 
of the United States, undertook to guarantee their terri- 
tory, to restore all their prisoners, and in considera- 
tion of their destitute situation, to furnish them gi'atu- 
itously with the necessaries of life, until they could pro- 
vide for themselves. I'hey also engaged to establish 
trading houses, and endeavour to bring back the natioij, 
to their former state. 

It is truly lamentable to contemplate the ruin of these 
tribes, who were making such rapid advances to civiliza- 
tion. Their villages were entirely destroyed, and their 
herds, which had become numerous, were killed by them- 
selves at an early part of the contest. It is to be hop- 
ed, they will be restored to their former prosperity^ 
though their experience has been dearly bought. 



CHAPTER :5?:il. 



T. tKe course oftbe ,ear 181S ^'^^^^^Z.V^ 
Uuited States was tw.ce --f^^^^;^^^^ ,Hat in the , 
interesting state of -ff'"'^^;, /^^^^'^^ ^oecur to demand 
course "^ *^- J^ ' :2tuor 's. of a very impor- 
the attention of the "=^^ °»^~ „f Canada, or atrea- - 
tant nature ; perhaps the conq ^^^^.^_^ mediation. 

ty of P-;-. ''7^';;,,^, 7,yet to the latter, the British 
Both had faded. W.tn resp^ .^^^^ .^^ ^^ ^,^^ ^^^^^ 

excused themselves fr"™ ^ '^^^"^.^atime rights to the 
of unwimngness <» -^-^J .though nothing of this 
adjudicat.on of anoth^ poj ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ p^^p„^^, ,„ 

"^f Zm ioTiation, at some place to be ap^ 
en er flf'^'\^^%,^ commissioners. A mere sub- 
?XtSicrw:s«sed,o„beinsacceptedb,t.eAme. 



li^ 



HI^TttKl vF TH-L VS vK. 



L^ 



■w^ ittd. at R-^^ ^^ 

taste dft Ittto fiwis ^ te ^ 

^»- HelaidWai««ak<»ed .,;:i 

«ki«w, tfcar kk««x WIT w^KT^ nKtw^ : : Vs»- 

M«dwsabMLlKliiltf«^^U tdRi pk£ k 

^«ck«Mi koa l» «ttcr ram: lie atteii^d^^i «Bce kmhc^ 

£wr«^iBarais; aadlfirM Hie 4e«|i «4i> v ..^ ^. „_ 
fan^M- r^stlMS^ Britauh, ^hte<l V^^sd ««»$«« ^ 
fax. Her$w«tt»g^l«d^^,j^,^^|^^,l^3^^^^^ 

bkner ami idle reertaunttNii «f Bhti4 Md Fk^sdii^ 



I'HE MEETINGS OF CONGRESS, SiC, 103 

gument of the wickedness and impolicy .of the war. 
Notwithstanding the time thus unnecessarily consumed, 
many important measures were taken for carrying on 
tlie war with spirit and effect. Additional troops were 
ordered to be raised, and as enlistments proceeded slow- 
ly, a considerable bounty, in money and iu lands, were 
otFered to recruits. The revenue, which had arisen 
chiefly from imports, >and the proceeds of the sales of 
piibliclands, being found inadequate to meet the present 
war expenses, resort was at first had to loans: it was 
BOW discovered, that difficulties would occur in tliis 
raode of raising money, without some security which 
would place the lenders beyond risk ; taxes were there- 
fore decreed. 

An impartial question was at the same time submitted 
by the President, to the consideration of Congress, 
which took up much time in tlie House of Representa- 
tives. At the battle of Queenstown, forty of the prison- 
ers taken by the British, proved to have been native sub- 
jects of the Britijh dominions. They were inwiediate- 
ly ordered into close custody, and it was given out that 
they would be prosecuted for high treason. This was 
no sooner made known to the American government, 
than twice the number were ordered into custody by the 
President : which was followed by tlie confinement of 
all prisoners of war on both sides. It was not known 
where this retaliation would terminate ; but it was, after 
a most animated debate in Congress, resolved to proceed, 
step by step, with the enemy. The conduct of Great 



104 HISTORY OF THE WAU. 

Britain, was in direct contradiction to her usuul prac- 
tice, and contrary to the principles of all other civilized 
nations. He that owes perpetual allegiance to any man, 
or society, is in fact a slave. 

An embargo had been laid, in consequence of the illi- 
cit trade constantly kept with the /jnemy, from the 
northern ports ; this was taken off, on account of the 
great change in the affairs of Europe, and the neutral 
nations once more called into life. About this time also, 
the nortliern states, which had thus far been treated with 
so much indulgence by the enemy, were placed under a 
strict blockade. 

Notwithstanding the unpopularity of the war in ma- 
ny parts of the Union, at the outset, and the injurious 
means resorted to, for the purpose of embarrassing the 
government, it was gradually enlisting the feelings of all 
Americans, The victories gained • y our gallant seamen, 
could not fail of touching the pride of the most inveterate 
opposers of the war. There is, besides, in military re- 
nown, something which strongly siezes the feelings; 
certain it is, that the longer the war continued, the 
o-reater the number who entered into it with their wishes 
and feelings. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



Xaml Affairs--' f Far carried on against the Eastern 

States, 

In the course of the year 181S, an American squadron, 
consisting of the United States, commodore Decatur, 
the Macedonian, captain Jones, and the sloop-of war 
Hornet, captain Biddle, was blockaded in the harbour 
of New York, by a strong squadron of the enemy. Af- 
ter making several attempts to escape, and proceed on 
a,cruise, they run out through the sound, but were imme- 
diately pursued, and so closely as to be compelled to 
run in^o the harbour of New-London. Here the fri- 
gates were towed up the river, as far as practicable, and 
a military force called out to pilot tliem. The frigate^ 



106 HISTORY OF THE WAK. 

were detained in this place during almost the wliale ot 
the war. 

On the twenty-ninth of April, 1814, captain "Warring- 
ton, in the. United States sloop of wax Peacock, tell in 
with, and captured the British *lodJPIf war Epervier, 
rating and mounting eigtheen thirty-two pound carro- 
nades, with a crew of one hundred and twenty-eight 
men. In the action, tire Epervier had eleven killed, and 
fifteen wounded, among the latter her first lieutenant, 
severely. On board the Peacock, not a man was killed, 
and but two were wounded. The Epervier was almost 
cut to pieces, while the American vessel, in fifteen min- 
utes after, was fit for action. On board the prize, was 
found upwards of one hundred thousand dollars in spe- 
cie which were taken out, after which she went to Sa- 
vannah, under lieutenant colonel Nicholson, where she 
arrived safely. 

Another victory, not less brilliant, followed close af- 
ter. The sloop of war Wasp, captain Blakely, engaged, 
and after an action of nineteen minutes, captured the 
British sloop Reindeer, of superior force. The Rein- 
deer was desperately fought; and the execution on both 
ships,was very great. Two attempts made by the ene- 
my to board, but with no success. The prize was so 
much injured, that it was found impracticable to bring 
her in ; she was accordingly set on tire, and blown up. 
rhe Wasp had five killed ; tlie other twenty-three kill- 
ed, and forty-twof wounded. 



NAVAI. AFFAIRS, &0< > 107 

The Wasp, after putting into L-Orient to repair, and 
to dispose of her prisoners, again sailed out on ike 
twenty-seventh of August. She had not been long out 
until a second opportunity occurred, of putting her 
prowess to the test. On tiie fii-st of Septeir.ber, slie fell 
in with the Avon, and after a short, but warm engage- 
lnen^ this vessel was compelled to strike ; but wliea 
possession was about to be taken of the prize, the ClTas- 
tillian, a brig of eighteen guns, w as descried ; prepara- 
tion was immediately made for action, but the appear- 
ance of. two other ipssels, and the Avon at_the same 
time making signals of distress, the Wasp bore av/ay. 
The Wasp afterwards captured tlie Atalanta, a brig of 
eight guns. After these numerous exploits, sinking two 
ships of war, and capturing enemies property to the 
amount of at least a million of dollars, tlie Wasp was 
for a long time fondly expected home : but alas ! her 
fate is now but too certain ; her gallant seamen are cov- 
ered by the mountain waves of the ocean. 

The daring commander, captain Porter, was master of 
the Pacific, with his singularly created fleet.. The en- 
emies flag was expelled from those waters, and the Bri- 
tish whale fishery entirely destroyed. The admirality 
was obliged to fit out several vessels, for the express 
purpose of encountering this formidable enemy. Cap- 
tain Porter, having been a long time at sea, was under 
the necessity of selecting a landing place, where he 
could refresh his men, by some relaxation from [heir 
long and arduous service, and where he could rep^r his 



108 HISTOIIT OF THB %VABv 

vessels. He landed at an unfrequented island called 
Nooaheva, inhabited by numerous tribes of the natives. 
They at first granted him permission, but afterwards be- 
came hostile, and compelled him either to quit the island 
or to give them a signal chastisement. He preferred 
the latter, and they afterwards treated him with respect; 
it was also a means of bringing about a general peace 
among all the tribes. After having completely refitted, 
he sailed for Valparaiso, in company with the Essex 
Junior. Soon after his arrival, the British frigate Phcebe, 
captain Hillyar, carrying fifty -thr* guns, in company 
Avith the sloop of war Cherub, captain Tucker, mounting 
twenty-eight guns, made tlieir appearance. On enter- 
ing the harbour, the Phoebe fell foul of the Essex in 
such a manner as to be completely in her power. The 
British commander affected to be grateful for this for- 
bearance on the part of captain Porter, and promised to 
pay the same regard to the neutralit}^ of the port ; a pro- 
mise which he could easily disregard, when it no longer 
suited him to observe. Repeated attempts were made 
by the American commander to provoke the British fri- 
gate to a single combat without success. At length, find- 
ing that they could outsail the British vessel, he deter- 
mined to seize a fovorable opportunity of runningout to 
sea. On the twenty -eighth of March, he made the experi- 
ment, but on sounding the point, a squall carried away his 
main-top-mast, in consequence of ^ which, finding it im- 
possible to escape, he attempted to regain th^.' j.o't; fail- 
ing in this, he put into a small bay, under the guns of a 



NAVAL AFFAIRS, &C. 109 

Spanish battery, and let go his anchor. Regardless 
of the neutrality of the place, tiie enemy bore down, 
and the two vessels, choosing each a raking position, 
opened a tremendous lire upon the unfortunate American 
frigate. Captain Porter long defended himself with un- 
exampled courage. With three long twelve pounders, 
run out of his stern ports, he twice compelled the enemy 
to haul off" and repair. They afterwards chose a more 
secure distance. Captain Porter cut his cable and at- 
tempted to board ; failing in this, he tried to run his ves- 
sel ashore ; after trying every expedient, which the most 
consummate nauticat skill could suggest, and supported 
by an unshaken firmness without a parrallel, he was at 
lasi; compelled to surrender his ship. Out ofa crew of 
two hundred and twenty -five, fifty-eight were killed, 
and sixty -five wounded, and thirty-one drowned. Thus, 
after a contest of tw^o hours, a victory was won by the 
arms of Britain, v/hich covered them with disgrace. 

Captain Porter was allowed to return in the Essex 
Junior, but was shamefully treated by the Saturn razee, 
off Sandy Hook. He was obliged to give up his parole, 
and afterwards effected his escape in an open boat, at the 
distance of thirty miles from land. 

In order to wind up our naval history, it will be pro- 
per to notice several important affairs, which, in order 
of time, may appear somewhat out of place : this will, 
however, be counterbalanced by the advantage of a more 
connected narrative of the remaining events of the war. 

In January, 181 3, a squadron in the harbour of New 
10 



tlO HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

York, consisting of several frigates and ships of war, un- 
der the command of commodore Decatur, was destined, 
by the War Department, to make a cruise in the In- 
dian ocean. The harbour being closely blockaded, the 
squadron agreed upon a place of rendezvous, and then 
attempted to sail out singly, and endeavour to elude the 
enemy. Taking advantage of a dark night, the commo- 
dore's ship (the President) stood out, but unfortu- 
nately struck on passing the bar, and was detained for 
two hours, by which means the return of day brought her 
in sight of .the British squadron ; the Endymion was, 
in a short time, so near as to come to action. Decatur 
at first resolved to board this vessel, and if successful, 
to abandon his own ship, which had entirely lost her 
sailino* trim, by the unfortunate accident first mention- 
ed. He was disappointed in this by the manoeuvres of 
the enemy ; he therefore opened his guns upon her, and 
it was not long before she lay a complete log in the wa- 
ter. By this time, the other ships of the squadron had 
come up, and the President was compelled to surrender. 
The President lost twenty-five killed, and sixty wound- 
ed. Nothing in point of naval renown, was lost by Ame- 
rica in this aftair. 

The Hornet, captain Biddle, near the island of Fristan 
d*Acunha, fell in witii, and after an action of twenty-two 
minutes, on the twenty-third of March, 1815, captured 
his Britanic majesty's brig Penguin, captain Dickenson. 
The captured vessel had fourteen killed, and twenty- 
cigKt wounded. Captain Biddle was wounded in the 



NAVAL AFFAIRS, &C. Ill 

neck, after the Penguin had surrendered ; an act which 
so iratated the crew, that it was with great diiticulty it 
could be restrained from refusing quarters te the enemy. 
Lieutenant Conner, a brave officer, was severely wound- 
ed. This vessel still continues to grace the list of the 
navy. The seamanship of the accomplished commander, 
was displayed on his return home to as rtuch advantage 
as his valour in the combat. For three days, he was chas- 
ed by a ship of the line, bearing an adKiiral's flag, and 
was compelled to throw his guns overboard, before he 
could filially eSect his escape. 

The frigate Constitution, returned to the United 
.States, after a long cruise, after the cessation of hostili- 
ties. On the twentieth of February, 1815, captain Stew- 
art was attacked by two heavy sloops of war. Nothwith- 
standing the advantage which they possessed, of bemg 
able to take raking positions, unless baffled by the ut- 
most exertion of skill. Both were captured, and prov- 
ed to be the ship Cyane, captain Gordon Falcon, of 
thirty-four 32 pound carronades, and the brig Levant, 
captain Douglass, of eighteen 32 pound carronades, and 
two long twelves. On board the enemy, the loss was 
one hundred in killed and wounded. The Constitution 
had four men killed, and eleven wounded. Captaiu 
Stewart carried his prizes in to port Praya, in March ; 
here the British ships Leander, and the Newcastle, ap- 
pearing, and the captain apprehending that no regard 
would be paid to the neutrality of the place, endeavour- 
ed to make his escape \vith his prizes. After a long 



n^ HISTORY or THE WA}J. 

chase, he succeeded in getting off the Cyane, but the 
'.Levant was compelled* to return to port, where she was 
-captured in violation of the laws of nations. This con- 
cludes the naval history of the late war ; we now turn 
back on our steps, in order to resume the regular plan of 
our narrative. During the last year of the war, the le- 
niency at first'practised towards the Eastern states was 
succeeded by acts of hostility, although not :^o lawless a 
character, yet suificiently rigorous to make them feel the 
war. 

An opportunity was aftorded the inhabitants, of con- 
'i'incing the common enemy, that disaffectioi^ to the 
Union, was the last thing thought of by the great mass Of 
the people, whatever sentiments might be privately en- 
tertained by a few. Commodore Hardy was gallantly 
resisted at Stonington, a small village, at which a few 
militia had been hastily collected. A heavy bombard- 
ment was kept up for forty-eight hours, and the British 
barges which attempted to land, were several times com- 
pelled to retire. Great praise was bestowed in every 
part of the United States, onihese brave citizens, in the 
defence of their town. 

In the course of the summer, several important expe- 
ditions were undertaken by the enemy, against the ex- 
treme north-eastern frontier of the United States, where 
the American forces could make but a feeble resistance. 

Eastport, Castine, Machias, and other villages between 
ihe Penobscot and the bay of Passamaquoddy, were suc- 

essively visited, without any resistance of consequence. 



IfAVAX AFFAIRS, &C. 113 

The British commander, affected to take formal posses- 
sion t)f all the country east of Penobscot, and fortifying 
Eastport, established a garrison of twelve hundred men. 
The exact boundary in this quarter, had never been per- 
fectly ascertained ; it had been doubtful to whom several 
of th,e islands properly belonged ; this, at the conclusion 
of the war, gave rise to an article of the treaty. 

In consequence of the taking of Castine, the frigate 
John Adams was unfortunately lost. Captain Morris 
had put into the Penobscot a few days before. Having 
no means of defendiL-g his ship against a powerful force^ 
he was compelled to set her oa fire, and blow her up. 



10# 



CHAPTER XIV. 



JVar on ike Northern Frontier — Battles of Chippewa 
and JViagara. 

After the failure of the last attempt to invade Cana- 
da, which had proved so unfortunate to the inhabitants 
along the Niagara frontier, and which enabled the Bri- 
tish to take possession of the American fort, the forces 
on both sides retired into winter quarters. Nothing of 
importance took place, until the opening of the cam- 
paign, towards the latter end of March. General Wilk- 
inson, finding that a large body of the enemy had been 
collected at La Cole, marched a considerable portion of 
his army, for the purpose of attacking their position. 
They had fortified a large stone mill, and erected other 
Aefeuced. An eighteen pounder was attempted to be 



WAE ON THE NORTHERN FRONTIER, kc* 115 

brought up by the general, but not succeeding m this, a 
tv/elve pounder was substituted. After a fair experi- 
ment of the strength of this fortress, and repulsing a sor- 
tie by the enemy, in which captains Larabie and IM'Pher- 
son were wounded, a retreat took place. The general 
then took position at>- Odletown, on the dividing line. 
This inauspicious opening of the campaign, together 
with the failure of the last, caused this officer, together 
with Hampton, to be laid on the shelf; and general 
izard assumed the command of the one,_and general 
M*Comb of the other. 

Eaily in the spring, general Brown, who had been 
detached from the main body; with about two thou- 
sand men, arrived on the Niagara. The gallant conduct 
of this officer, on several occasions, liad won for him a 
high character ; and it was confidently expected, that 
he would soon regain the territory in the possession of 
the ttnemy. There does not seem to have been any pros- 
pects at the commencement of the campaign, of being 
able to tear an^ part of Canada from the British : the 
utmost that could be expected, was to cut off all com- 
munication between the Upper and Lower Provinces. 
The British had availed themselves of the repose of the 
winter, to construct, at an enormous expense, several 
large vessels for lakes Champlain and Ontario. Al- 
though the United States had not neglected the augmen- 
tation of the naval force, they found themselves, at the 
commencement of the season, unable to cope with the 
enemy. Commodore Cliauncey, was therefore compelled 



116 HISTORY OF THE t^AR. 

to lay bj, until the beginning of summer, before he could 
be in a situation to co-operate with the land forces. 

Several smaller affairs, liowever, occurred, to enlivem 
the s^.ene. On the fifth of May, sir James li. Yeo, ^ith 
four sliips, and other vessels of considerable force, ap- 
peared before Oswego, with a view of intercepting the 
stores and necessary equipments for the superior, then 
building at Sacket's Harbour. The place was command- 
ed by lieutenant colonel Mitchel, with about three hun- 
dred men, assisted by captain Boyle, with a part}- of sai- 
lors, and the Growler's crew under lieutenant Pearce. 
They were so warmly received by the Yankees, that 
their boats were compelled to fall back with all possible 
precipitation. Not content with this, they approached 
the next day with three thousand men, and covered 
their landing with their ships. These were handsome- 
ly peppered as they drew near, and after taking posses- 
sion of the place, with the loss of more than two hun- 
dred men, they found to their inexpressible mortifica- 
tion, that the stores had already been rem'JVed, except 
one barrel of whiskey, which they ii^aignantly stove, and 
suffered to be swallowed by the earth. 

Sometime after this, captain Woolsey having brought 
to, at the mouth of Oswego creek, with the military 
stores for Sacket's Harbpur, received intelligence from 
his look-out boats, that a flotilla of British gun vessels 
had chased them. In concert with colonel Appling, a 
plan of decoying the enemy, who, it appeared, was com- 
manded by captain Popham, was formed. The look-out 



WAR ON THE NORTItEIlN FRONTIER, &C. 117 

boat shewing itself, was closely pursued into the creek. 
Colonel Appling's riflemen having been concealed in 
the edge of the bank, suddenly shewed themselves, and 
discharged a volley upon the British, who immediately 
surrendered. The whole amounting to at least two hun- 
dred, were taken prisoners. 

It was not until the third of July, that general Brown 
found himself in a situation to carry his plans into execu- 
tion. On the evening- of that day, orders were issued 
for the embarkation of the army, which consisted of two 
brigades, besides the NewYork and Pennsylvania volun- 
teers, under general Porter. They were suffered to 
cross the river and land without molestation : the first 
brigade under general Scott, the artillery commanded 
by major Hindman, landed before fort Erie, while gene- 
ral Ripley with the second, landed some distance above 
the.foit. The garrison was invested, and being almost 
taken by surprise, surrendered with very little resistance. 
One hundred and thirty-seven prisoners were, taken. 
Placing a small garrison in the fort, general Brown 
moved the following day to Chippewa. In approaching 
this place, general Porter's advance met some light bo- 
dies of the enemy, and encountered them in a wood 5 
after beating them, the volunteers pursued until*they 
found themselves, on a sudden, in contact with the main 
body of the British army. They were about to give way, 
when general Brown ordered Scott's brigade to advance 
with Towson's artillery, and draw the enemy into the 
plain. The engagement bacame general. The lel't flank 



^^3 HISTOKY OF THE WAIU 

Qf Scott's brigade, was exposec!, in coDseqnence of the 

volunteers hamig fallen back, but major Jes^up, who 

commanded here, ordered Ins baft.jllioii to caitv arms 

and adv^ijice, until choo^irg a fa>mirab]e position, be 

poured a deadly fire unon the enemv, v. hich comr»clled 

them to reti-eat. General Riplej uas ordered to'move 

up with his brigade, and turn the right wing ; before this 

could be execufed, the British had given ground, and on 

approaching the declivity of the hill, they broke and fled 

in disorder, behind their works. This action \vas close 

and severe; it was fought with great courao;e and skill 

on both sides. The Americans had sixty killed and two 

hundred and forty-eight wounded ; on the side of the 

British, their killed amounted to one hundred andthirty- 

tliree, and three hundred and twenty wounded. 

This victory difxused a very general joy over the 
United States. Many of the Wellin;,^tonian veteran 
rexiMiests Imd already reached America, and partaken 
the disgrace, while every account from England announc- 
ed the hostile temper of that country. This complete 
victory on the part of general Brown, had an excellent 
eSfect. 

After this sore drubbing, the invincibles retired to 
fort feeorge, abandoning all the intermediate posts, but 
not without being closely pressed in their retreat. Gen- 
eral Brown returned to Queenstow n heights, where he 
soon after learned that large reinforcements had reach- 
ed the enemy from Kingston to Tref^cot. On this, he 
receded to Chippev/a and encamped. On the twenty- 



WAR ON THE XORTHESN FRONTIER, &C. 119 

fifth of July, a strong detachment was discovered on its 
march towards Schlosser, on the opposite side, which 
seemed totiireaten the American deposit there. In or- 
der to counteract this, Scott's brigade and Towson's 
ai tillery, marched in the direction of Queenstown. 

On approaching the falls of Niagara, the British army 
was discovered directly in front, occupying a position 
wliich had l>:-en carefully selected. General Scotf im- 
mediately <lespatched a messenger with this information, 
.to general Brown ; but before the anival of the messen- 
ger, the report of cannon told that the battle was al- 
ready begun, and the general hastened to the field with 
his main force. General Scott, and the artillery under 
Towson, were warmly engaged. The twentv-fifth, un- 
der its gallant commander, major Jessup, moved to th& 
right jof the main body, with discretionary orders to be 
governed by circumstances. Desperate was this con- 
test, for several hours; the Am.erican ranks were thin- 
ned, and at an every motneat diminisliing, before the 
vast disparity of numbers opposed to them. They still 
maintained their ground with undaunted firmness, ia 
expectation of being reinforced by general Brown. 
Meanwliile, colonel Jessup, taking advantage of the ne- 
glect of the enemy, in leaving his left unguarded, gained 
their rear, and as the clouds of night were fast descend- 
ing, he penetrated the British line, and cut off its left 
wing, making prisoners of general Riall and suit, while 
general Drummond narrowly escaped the same fate; 
one of his aids was however taken, and by this, the exe- 



120 HISTORY OF THE WAU. 

cution of a manoeuvre, which would have at once over- 
powered the strengtli of the Americans, was pre* 
vented. 

Ripley's brigade at length arrived, and in order to re- 
lieve the troops of general Scott^ now almost exhausted, 
they displayed in front. The enemy occupied a com- 
manding height, on which was planted his artillery, a 
formidable battery. Ripley conceived the bold design 
of making an attempt to carry the height, as tlie only 
movement that appeared likely to bring the battle to an 
issne, and on this being communicated to the com- 
mander, it was approved. Accordingly, assigning to 
colonel Miller, the arduous duty of leading the charge, 
at the head of the twenty-fifth, he resolved to follow with 
the twenty-third, the younger regiment. They advanc- 
ed in column to the perilous charge, but faultered on 
yeciving the first fire ; they were again formed, and ad- 
vancing with a steady and a firm step, seized the whole 
battery. The enemy fled in astonishment and dismay, 
while the Americans turned their own artillery upon 
them, and together with their own pieces, posted them- 
selves with great strength. The enemy, stung. with 
shame, and receiving reinforcements, which enabled 
them to outflank the Americans in both extremes, came 
on with a ferocious charge, but were driven back with 
great loss ; they were driven back a second, and a third 
time, having each time received reinforcements. The 
Americans were left in quiet possession of the field ; it 
was now midnight, and having been so long engaged in 



^TAR ox THE XOllTIIIlIlS' FRONTIER, 6cC. 1^1 

this 'dreadful combat, they were ordered to retreat ; but 
11 nfortunatel J, the tropliies of this spleFfdid victory, could 
not beseciired, froni the want of the means of convey- 
ing the artillery, the carnages having been shattered, 
and the horses killed. The total loss cf the" British, 
amounted to eight hundred and sixty; the loss of the 
Americans, very little short of the same number. When 
wc consicfer that the forces engaged, did not exceed four 
tliousand live himdred on the. British side, and three 
thousand on the American, tins may rank amongst the 
most bloody battles any where recorded. The disnro- 
portionate loss of the Americans, is to be ascribed to the 
advantages of the enemy, in the commelicement of the 
action, over the brigade of general Scott ; this brip-ade 
suffered so much, that several regiments were so tiiin- 
ned, that' when united, they scarcely formed more than 
one. Generals Brown and Scott, were, both severely 
wounded, and the command devolving on general Rip- 
ley, he retired to fort Erie. General Porter, of the vol- 
unteers, gained great honors for himself and his brave 
volunteers. Colonel Leavenworth, major Jessup, and a 
number of -other officers, were highly complimented in 
the ordei-s of the <lay. 

On the fifteenth of August, after the fort had been, 
for some time infested by general Drummond, witli a 
large force, and after having made his regular approach- 
es, he resolved to attempt to carry it by storm. The as- 
sault and defence, were of the same desperate character 
as the pitched battles before described, and terminated 
11 



122 HI i TORT OP THE ^VAR. 

alike to the glory of the Americaa officers and soldiers. 
By tiiis time, the brarery of the American troops, had 
made noli^htimpre&feioa on these haughty foes. The loss 
of the British was immense: and general Gaines, who 
commanded, general Rlplej, and otiier officers, acquired 
io) perishable renor.n. 

General Bro^^n. having recovered from, his wounds, 
en the second of September, resumed the command. 
From the time of the successful assault, both sides were 
actively enjcaged ; the enemy in erecting batteries, the 
Americans in completing their defences. The enemy's 
batteries were becoming every day more formidable to 
the fort, two <jr which were within five hundred yards, 
and a third va§ rapidly constructing, for the purpose of 
infilading the American works. A gpiritetl measure 
was tliouglit of by general Brown, to avert the impend- 
inv danger. On tlie seventeenth, a sortie was executed 
m a pullant fctyle, which could only be crraalled by the 
admirable akill displayed in the formation of the plan. 
The British were completely surprised ; the American 
troops taking a circuitous route through the woods, came 
fcuddeniy uj/on i}ie enemy's flunk, and charged in col- 
umn, tf>ok pessession of all the enemy *fc batteries, 
thoujrh not without a severe conflict, and great carnage, 
Tlie batteries, in two hoars, were destroyed. The 
Americans had to deplore the loss of sc/me gallant offi- 
cers, amvng whom were brigadier-general Davis, of the 
volunteers, colonels Gibson and Wof>d, two valuable 
officers. The loie of the enemy was upwards of eight 



WAR OS THE yORXnERN FRONTIER, 6cC. 125 

hundred men. About three hundred Americans were 
killed and wounded, among the latter general Ripley. 
^ The Wellingtonian *' Invincihles,'^ after this, thought 
proper to retire ; and accordingly, generals Dnimmond 
acd De \\'atte\-ille. broke up their camp on the night of 
the twenty-first, and sought safety in the works of Chip- 
pewa. About this time, general Izard arrived from 
Plattsburg with a reinforcement of four hundred men^ 
and placed the security of tiie post beyond doubt. Con- 
sidering that notliing could be gained by maintaing hii 
present position, tiiis general, who now assumed the 
command as the senior officer, removed to i}\e American, 
side, after destroying fort Erie, and ordered his troops 
into winter quarters at Bufialo. Thus temiinated the 
campaign of 1814, on ihe Niagara, in which the enemy 
was four times beaten in fair and equal combat. The 
American soldiers had at last retrieved the character of 
the military, and in the estimation of the country, were 
placed on a level witli the heroes of tlie navy. The 
The names of Brown, Scott, Ripley, Miller, Porter, Da- 
>-is. Jessup, Ree, Gihsun, "Wood, Hindman, Towson, 
Trimble, will be written in letters of gold, on the arch Qi 
American glor}'. 

In x^nQ course of the campaign, a considerable part o 
the English army had arrived from the Carrone ; several 
regiments marched to the upper provinces, to afford the 
Ameiican soldier^ an opportunity of plucking from their 
brows, the laurels won in Spain and France, under their 
their renowned leader. The greater part of the Briti^ 



lU 



HISTORY OF THE WAE. 



troops were retained, however, in tlie lower province, by 
sir George Prevost, in-order ta accomplish a subsequent 
plan of operation, which will be detailed in its proper 
place. The circumstance of general Izard having with- 
drawn from Plattsburg, v.ith ihc main body of the troops, 
left th?.t quarter, much exsosed ; sir George having con- 
centrated a large body oj troops in this neighbourhood, 
with the intention, as it afterwards appeared,of penetrat- 
ing the state of New-York. 

After the army of Niagara had retired into winter 
€[uarters, all was quiet with the exception of a liand- 
some affair, in which the Americans were victorious. 
General Bissel was detached with about nine hundred 
men, to destroy some military stores, and was met t)y the 
marquis of Twedale, with aliout the same number. After 
affair pitched battle, tlie marquis was soundly drubbed, 
and precipitately retreated, leaving tlic American gene • 
ral to execute Uic oWkrs ^-lthor>t furthcv molestation* 



OHArTER XT; 



Capture of Washini-ton—Befeiice of Baltimore, 

Wf return once more to the events of the Avar on the 
sea board. The occurrences of 1814, in this quarter, 
wore a more serious face than during any of the preced- 
in- years. Our powerful enemy manifested a fixed de- 
termination, of carrying on the war for the purpose of 
revenge; and being freed from the continental war, her 
numerous ships, and her armeis, were now at her dispo- 
sal far any other pui-pose. Advices from the American 
commissioners, served not a little to depress the hopes 

of peace. 

In the beghming of summer, the enemy arrived oft 
our coast, witii several ships of the line and frigates, 
with a great number of transports. They soon after en- 
tered the Chesapeake, maintained a threatening atti- 
tudc against the principal cities on the bay. CQUi'if: 
,11* 



1^6 HISTORY OP THE WAii. 

erable time, however, elapsed, before any important en- 
terprize was undertaken ; but admiral Cuckburn was 
actively engaged, as usual, in plundering and pilfering 
.the planters. To oppose some check to this atrocious 
reparee, a flotilla of gun vessels was fitted out by our 
government, and the command given to commodore 
Barney. This intrepid veteran, soon made himself so 
formidable from his rappid movements through creeks 
and inlets, that the enemy found it necessary to destroy 
his flotilla. A number of vessels suited to the purpose, 
were accordingly provided. The commodore, about 
the first of June, was chased into the Patuxent ; here 
their larger vessels not being able to pursue him, they 
sent their barges, but which were compelled to sneak off 
faster than they came. A more formidable squadron of 
boats, a few days afterwards, compelled the commo- 
dore to take refuge in Leonard's creek, where he was 
closely blockaded, by two frigates. Commodore Bar- 
ney having received some additional force from Wash- 
ington, fell down to the mouth of the creek, and choos- 
ing his position, began a well directed fire on the British 
Tessels : in two hours, the frigates finding their situa- 
tion rather uncomfortable, prudently weighed anchor 
and stood down the Patuxent. Barney embracing this 
opportunity, ran out of the creek, and ascended the Pa- 
tuxent. 

During the time that the commodore was thus block- 
aded, a party of the enemy proceeded up the Patuxent, 
^dlwidingabody of men, took possession of Benedict 



CAPTURE or WASHIXGTO!^, &C. 12f 

and Marlborough, and tlven courageoiislj attacked the 
tobacco warehouses and henroosts, which were robbed 
M'kh Gockburnian rapacFty. The \isit to tho^e villages, 
first showed them the practicability of attacking Wash-N, 
ington in this quarter, as thev would be enabled to ap- 
proach it within thirty or forty miles, before any suspi- 
cions could be entertained of their designs. 'Hie year 
before, considerable alarm had prevailed, legt the enemy- 
would ascend the Potomac in his ships, and attack the 
city of \Vashington ; but no suspicion of any probable at-* 
tack in this direction, was entertained. Indeed, it appear- 
ed to be the opinion of many, that the American capita], 
could scarcely hold out any inducement to them to incur 
the risk, when but little could be gained. Of this opin- 
ion, was the secretary at war, who, it will appear, did not 
use those precautions necessary to secura the- American 
capital from the disgrace of being spurned by hostile 
steps. "^ President Madison, in a council of thehearfsof 
department, had determined t'lat at least ten thtxi sand 
men, should be collected at some point which «ight be 
nearly equi-distant from Annapolis, AVaslii^gton and 
Baltimore, and could cover all these places. The exe- 
cution of the plan, was of course left ip ihe Sec^-etary, 
A new military district being formed, general Winder, 
in the month of July, was invested ^rith the command, 
and authorized by the Secretary, to call out the neces- ^ 
sary force. It was soon found that the quota of Penn- 
sSylvania militia, and for the greater part, that of Mary- 
land, had failed. No measwe v/as taken by the Secre- 



tarj, to ensure, at all events, the requisite number in 
the field. The general busily occupied himself in visit- 
ing all the different parts of his district, and in making 
the necessary arrangements, to meet the enemy at aU 
points. No camp was formed as had been contemplat- 
ed : air the force to be depended upon, was Stansbury's 
brigade, then near Baltimore, a body of militia at An- 
napolis", about one thousand regular?, and the militia of 
tixC disti ict of Columbia. 

Admiral Cockburn, about the sixteenth of August, 
ascended the bay with twenty-two sail, besides trans- 
ports, and was joined by admiral Malcom. About thi? 
tiii^e, it appears be fanned a resolution of attacking' 
Washington. The circumstance of Barney's -flotilla; 
having taken shelter in the Patuxent, favored the design 
of attacking the city by way of Benedict. Accordingly, 
dividing his force, and sending one detacJiment up the. 
ba^'^as if to threaten Baltimore, under sir Peter Parker^ 
and one up the Patomac, under captain Gordon, as if itx- 
force fo\'t Washington, he took the road himself first 
named. 

Tlie British land forces debarked at Eendict, on the^ 
twcnfy-first of August, and on the twenty-second readi- 
ed Upper Marriiorough ; and the American flotilla which 
had ascended as bigh as this piace/v/as now destroyed, 
while commodore Barney, according to his orders, join- 
ed general Winder with his marines. At this time, the 
American general had n&t more than two thousand 
men, just collected intQ camp; at a place called t^iio 

V 



CArfniE OF ^VJ^SKINGTOK, &G. 129 

Wooiivprd, On tiie twentjr^se^pmV, lie- fell bapk-ic^ tfie 
"Old Fields, wiierc he eiicatpped i' :- 

The ..general niight expect .to., be > ced. in tbe 

course of a dav or two, , by the .uiilUKi o( v,. j'tiinp.re.ar*d 
Aim apolis, which, wit'u tl\e raxunic<Gr5:tjf"..G5e,Qrgetovii»n, 
and Its Deijrhbourhood, and the r^guks s,>:oiud/gu'e hkn 
a force' of about five taoi;sana.meu. , A's the ground \i^.3 
extvemel y fiivoraU e for skirm isii iiig, and ^irre^iiliir .light- 
ing', he might harniss the enemy on, hjs advunce ; for, his 
force was by no ineajis safQeieijt io meet the'epef^^^^ 
open field. On the 2iil, I'he general detached a party, 
imdei" colonel Scott, for the purpose of watching the 
Kovemerits of the enemy, and r.arrasaing hiii^in his ad- 
vance. "VVnhin six mites of the Amedcan cainp, the 
enemy was descried marching in colu in u ; af-er iiriiig a 
few rouad^, the detuc!jment retreated, diid trie enemy 
advaiiciug three miles further,. encamp«3d for the night. 
Apprehensive of a niglitariack, the general marched 
about sun-set into Washington, and .encamped near the 
navy -yard. Fiarly the next, marning, the British were 
discovered to have taken the road, to Bladensburg, hav- 
ing genera] Winder's force on hi.>vlert flank, and leavilig 
Ids communication with the sliipping entirely unguarded. 

General Stansbnry's brigade, about thirteen luindred 
stroii.s, arrived at t!;is place on tlie twenty -second, and 
wa»joiue<l tiie next day by the Baltimorians, under co- 
lon(fl Sterret, about live hundred in number, 1 ut much 
fatigued bv a forced niarch : the colonel was accompa- 
niod by the a^iliery comp^^nies of Myers andMagruder, 



150 HISTORY OF THE ^AR. 

and tlie light battaliioa of riflemen under Pinkney, the 
attorney general, who could fight as well as speak. On 
the twenty -fourth, about noon, the enemy made his ap- 
pearance near Bladensburg. The Americans had alrea- 
dy posted themselves in the following manner : Stans- 
bury's brigade, v/as drawn^up on the west side of the 
Western branch, the artillery posted so as to command 
the bfidge, the rifiemen so as to support the artillery ; 
Sterret's regiment, in an orchard, in the rear of theise, and 
the otlier troops in the best position the nature of the 
ground would admit. General Winder having survey- 
ed this, disposition of the troops, which had been made 
wn.th. the assistance of colonel Monroe, approved of them. 
The general had already posted the marines and seamen- 
on the rising ground, in a position to command the road", 
in two separate batteries, one under commodore Barney, 
the other under captain Miller. In the rear of these, 
there was a second line of regulars, volunteers, and mill- 
tia, under general Smith ; there was just time to post 
these about half a mile in the rear of the fii-st line, when 
the battle commenced. A strong regiment of Maryland 
militia, commanded by colonels Beal and Hood, at the 
same time, took posts on the lengths south of the gr«>at 
joad, among tlie woods, whence they could annoy the 
approaching enemy. Until this moment the heads of 
department, with Vtia Pi^sident, were on the ground) 
countenancing the arrangements ; but as the growling 
storm seemed to>e drawing nearer and more near, they 
deemed it proper to retire, as \xizn of t^*e quill mcren% 



^ CAPTrRB'OF ^VASHTXGTO?ir, &,C. 3 31 

sliould have nothiiig to do with either liot lead or cold 
iron. 

The reader will novv^ expect an account ofa bloody bat- 
tle worthy to have decided the fate of the capital of aareat 
empire: he will expect to hear of honid carnage, of the 
dreadful shpck of arms, continued from the rising nntil 
the setting sun, night closino; on the eosaiignined plain, 
and a thousand ghosts shrieking in the IjoIIow wind. 
Alas ! but fev.Mvidows or orphans were made this day; 
yet many an eye was v.et, and many a heart was filled 
-with i-age, that as many of our alallant countrymen es- 
caped unhurt. Let us lay no flattering unction to. our 
souls, this day was disgraceful to Columbia, 

The enemy, coming in view of the American line, 
moved in a column to the bridge. The advance un- 
der colonel Thornton, received a momentary check from 
the well served artillery of Myers and jMagruder, and 
from the fire of the riflemen. But rallying hi& men, the 
colonel passed the bridge, and then moved forward, and 
was soon followed by the main body, under general Ross. 
The American artillery and riflemen were soon after 
©biiged to retreat, while the enemy continued to ad- 
vance, not a little annoyed by the artillery of major 
, Peters. When the enemy's right approached witliin 
musket range of Stanbury's brigade, this brigade broke : 
.all the efforts of the commander, general Winder, and 
the other officers, could not rally them. They fled in 
4>onfusion, carrying terror wherever they went. The 
Britisii now proceeded in column along the road, un^ 



IliSTCHY or Tin: WAK, 



they came siiddenlj r.nd iine^tpectefily, in vi3W of com- 
r.iodore Barney, "who (;ave them so warm a reception^ 
that litey precipitately fell back', loa^ ing the road strew- 
ed witii the dead. They deployed, and puslnng out 
Hanking parties, endeavouring to gain the American 
rear : on approaching the battery of captain Miller, 
they met with a reception as little agreeable as that af- 
forded them by commodore Barney; they continued, 
hov/e\er, to send out Pianking parties,, until both tiiese 
rallant corps were in danger of being cut off, when they 
were ordered to retreatr The commodore had hecii 
severely wounded, and fell into tlie enemy's hands. 
Stansbury's brigade, had been ordered to rally on tlie 
second line, commanded by general Smith, but on com- 
}n<^ to tlie road which^ led to Montgom(?ry court-liouse, 
they had nearly all taken that direction, and others^ 
w^ere dispersed. <jeneral Winder, now apprehensive 
that this line would be outflanked, ordered it to retreat, 
intending to make anotiier stand nearer the capital. 
General Winder rode to the capital, and meeting with 
the President and heads of departments, who were- 
not military heads, on consultation, agreed that a second 
attempt, since tlie tiight of the great body of tlie troops 
was not practicable.* General Smith was therefore or- 
dered to march through the city, and take position on tiie 
heights of Georgetown. 

Meeting with no further resistance, ti\e British gene- 
ral approached tl.e metropolis with about one thousand 
men, where he aiTived about eight o'clock in the even- 



CAPTURE OF WASnrUfGTO^", &C. 133 

iiig, wliile the remainder of the army encamped witliiri 
a mile or two of the place. Tlie hau[;;Kt3" invader was 
now master of the jiroiid seat vOf tlie Amerixan gorern- 
meiit ; not a splendid and populous city, but the 
n\cre skeleton of a town, consisting of detached 
groups of houses scattered over an immense plan. The 
capitol yet Unfinished, exhibited a fine specimen of Ame- 
rican architecture, as did the beautiful building intend- 
ed for the residence of the chief magistrate. These 
buildings, togetlier witii a number of private dwellings, 
were fired by the ruthless barbarians, who were now 
masters of the city. The libraries were burnt, as were 
also the different offices, whence fortunately the arcliives 
of the state had been removed, otherv/ise they woiud 
iiave shared the same fiite. This disgraceful act of the 
British general, will be viewed with abhorance by the 
latest posterity. The secretary at war, had already or- 
dered fire to be kindled in the navy -yard, which de- 
stroyed public property to an immense amou^it. The 
loss of iLe Britisii was considerable ; it '^ estimated at 
at one thousand : many having des^^ted;, or sunk nnder 
the fatjgue of their forced march- 
It is impossible to describe tlie deep cliagrin and mor- 
tification of the Americf>'is, in having their infant me- 
tropolis thus barbarously defaced. The wound to their* 
pride was most painful, and in its firit paroxisms threat- 
ened aJi the public officers concerned in the aftair, with 
the .Heaviest displeasure of the people, who felt that the 

12 



^54 HISTOBY OF THE M'AR. 

honor of their country had received a stain. The oppro- 
brium finally settled on the secretary at war, general 
Armstrong, and general AVinder ; the first at the inti- 
mation of the President, withdrew from office' tl- lat- 

ter was tried by a court-martiaV at his own solicitation, 
and acquitted. 

The enemy retreated to Benedict, on the twenty-fifth 
parrying away a considerable booty. In the meanwhile' 
the naval detachment under captain Goi don, ascended 
the Potomac, and on the twenty-seventh, approached 
fort Washington, which was immediately blown up by 
the officer commanding, withoutfiring a gun. The ene- 
my now meeting with no opposition, passed up safely to 
Alexandria, which place was put under a heavy contribu- 
tion. 

All the produce, merchandize and shipping, were de- 
manded, and required to be delivered under the threat 
of destroying the town. With these hard conditions, 
the citi7.ens were obliged to comply; and the British 
descended lU bay, with a very respectable amount of 
plunder. 

The third division or the invaders, was not so success- 
ful. Sir Peter Parker, wvj, a body of sailors and ma- 
rines, who ascended the Chesc>.^eake, met with a dilTer- 
ent fortune. Having landed about, two hundred of his 
men, for the purpose of dispersing a body of Maryland 
militia, near Georgetown Cross Roads, he was met with 
a firmness quite unexpected, and after a sharp action, 
he received a mortal wound, on which his detachment 



CAPTURE OF WASHINGTON, &C. 135 

fell back to their ships, losing upwards of thirty In killed 
and wounded, 

The capture of Washington, and the plunder of Alex- 
dria, excited the utmost alarm in all the American cities, 
but more especially in Baltimore, the nearest to the 
scene of destruction and rapacity. The return of its 
citizen soldiers from the fiekl of Bladensburg, filled the 
place with consternation and dismay. Some, listening 
to the apprehensions of the moment, were for making 
the best terms they could with the enemy at once, in 
order to save the city from destruction, knowing the 
deadly, antipathy harboured against it by the enemy : 
but this was manfully rejected. It was resolved to 
adopt the best measures for defence, the time would ad- 
mit : and it being now ascertained, that the first idea sug- 
guested by their alarm, of the enemy's intention ^o 
march immediately from Washington to Baltimore, 
was groundless ; all classes of people engaged with ar- 
dor, in tlie preparations for sheltering their town against 
the coming tempest. The other cities, particularly Phil- 
adelphia and New-York, exhibted the most lively scenes 
of patriotic exeitions in the fortifications and works of 
defence. The different classes of the population, mov- 
ed in separate bands, to work on the trenches, to the 
sound of the most animating music ; one day it was the 
merchants, the next the professional men, the next, 
the diftVent kinds of mechanics, then the various 
religious congregations or sects, and then the natural- 
ized citizens of different nations ; all , these in proccs- 



ISG HISTORY OF THE WAR, 

sionSj.proiluGinga most affectirig spectable of festivity, 
and jojful exertTon, to pro^ ide against the impending 
danger. It was all one mind, one voice, and one inter- 
("st. Tliese are the lovely fruits of liberty, equal 
rights, and a palci nal government, not of capiicious men, 
J>ut of v/ise and just laws. 

The British forces in the Chesapeake and its waters, 
assembled under the commander-in-chief, admiral Coch- 
rane, and nov.^ composed a most formidable armada of 
more than fifty sail, having on board more than five thou- 
sand land troops, under general Hoss. On the tenth of 
Septemoer, the anxiously expected enemy appeared, at 
the mouth of the Patapsco, fourteen miles below Balti- 
more. The defence of this flourishing and populous 
city, was assinged to major-general Smith, and briga- 
dier-gCKCral Strieker, both of the Maryland militia, and 
both revolutionary veterans. The latter, at his request, 
was detached to meet the enemy at his landing, near 
North Point. The general accordingly marched with a 
part of his brigade, and several additional corps of artil- 
lery, cavalry and riflemen 5 in the whole, about three, 
thousand men. A detachment was ordered to move for- 
ivard, in order to watch the enemy. On the evening of 
the eleventh, the troops reached their place of destina- 
tion, seven miles below the city. 

Early in the morning, thejvidettes brought information 
that the enemy was debarking under cover of his gun- 
boats ; on this, the general took position at the junction 
of the differei\t roads leading from the city, resting iii^ 



cAPTrini or wasuikgton, &.c. ^37 

V-hton Bear creek, his left covered bja smamp,and in 
ihl situation awaited the enemy. U^ov Heath, wlto had 
been sent forward to skirmish with the enemy, now re- 
-tired before iiQ advancing columns of general Eoss. 
This general, while reconnoiterirp: at the head of his 
troops, received a riile-ball in the b east, which at once 
put an e id to his career. His fall was a severe loss to the 
British army, and for some time, checked its progress. 
The command devolving on colonel Brooks, he moved 
with the whole force, little short of seven thousand men, 
and commenced the engagement by firing rockets; a 
brisk cannoiiade was opened from the artillery of cap- 
tain Mojit^omevy, which was warmly returned by ihe 
enemy, and the action soon became general. The Ame- 
rican'commander maintained his ground an hour and an 
half against the superior numbers of the British. Un- 
fortunately, however, the regiment stationed on the left, 
gave way, and his. iiank became exposed, whidi compel- 
led him,--soon.er than' if tlii§ had not happened, to retire 
upon his reserve, a regiment posted half a mile in the 
' rear. This being eftected, he took up his march and 
retired to the entrenchments throv/n up on the rismg 
ground, to the east of the city, where he was joined by 
generals Winder and Douglass, with a brigade of Vir- 
ginia militia, under captain Burd's United States' dra- 
o-oons. In this well fought battle, there was not more 
than fourteen hundred men on the American side during 
the hottest of the fight, having been diminished by the 
12* 



138 HISTORY OF THE WAlt. 

reserve, and by the unfortunate panic which seized the 
troops that gave way. The loss on the American side 
was about one hundred and eighty in killed and wound- 
ed ; the British loss was at least five hundred. 

The brii>;ades T?(nder 2;eneral Stansburv and Forman, 
the searnen and marines under commodore Rodgers, the 
Pennsylvania volunteers, the Baltimore and marine ar- 
tillery, manned the entrenchments and heavy batteries. 
Thus posted, they courageously av/aited the approach of 
the emeniy, v/ho had not thought proper to push forw ard 
after the battle of North Point. The next morning, the 
hostile army appeared within two miles in front of the 
Amercican lines, inclined to the York and Harford roads, 
as if to reach the town in that direction, but observing 
that generals Strieker and Winder, adapted their move- 
ments so as to counteract this design, it approached 
within a mile, as if to attack in front. 

In the midst of these important land operations, a pow- 
ful attack was made on fort M'Henry, which commands 
the approach of the city by water. The defence of the 
place was entrusted to major Armistead, together with 
several companies of Baltimore artillerists, supported by 
a body of infantry and marines. Two batteries to the 
right, were manned by sailors, the one under lieutenant 
Kewcomb, the other under lieutenant Webster. The 
"bombarding vessels, placing themselves out of the reach 
of the guns of the fort, continued to throw shells during 
the whole day and night, with very little interruption. 



CAPTURE OF WASniNGTOK, &C. 159 

%vhile tliose in the fort were compelled te remain entirc- 
Ij inactive. Once, indeed, tliey approached sufiicieat- 
Iv near for the guns of the fort to be brouglit'to bear^ 
which soon compelled them to retire. During the ni^-ht, 
several of their bargss were discovered approaching the 
shore, and v/ere immediately attacked from tlie batte-^ 
ries to the right, and one of them destroyed. 

By this time, on consultation between the land and 
naval commanders, it was mutually agreed^ that the 
capture of the city was. impracticable : it was therefore 
resolved to make all convenient haste oat of the v.ay. 
Tlie retreat of the army was commenced under cover of 
a d.ark and tempestuous night, and the next morninc- 
had entirely disappeared from before the lines, and were 
immediately pursued by general Winder, wlio captured 
a few stragglers 5 colonel Brook re-embarked his troons 
in safety. 

Thus gloriously terminated the short but eventful 
siege of this noble city, pre-consigned by a ferocious 
enemy, to pillage and coufiagration. The citizen sol- 
diers who thus gallantly defended their homes and' 
families, obtained the reward of their country's appro- 
bation. New life, and spirit, were awakened in all 
the cities exposed to the approach of hostile footsteps/ 
and the fortunate defence of Baltimore, in some mea- 
sure served to Wash out the foul pollution of the seat 
of government. We had, however, to lament the fall 
of many of our gallant countrymen ; to them a monu> 



140 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

1-nent lias beer, decreed, and distant ages will continue 
to read cii the sculptured stone, t!ie names of colonel 
Lov.ry, Donaldson, Cl'agget, and of Cleinm, with grati- 
tude and veneration. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Glorious events of the TFar-^British defeated at Flatts- 

burg^-llejf?uhcd ut JV'<>-ce' Orleans — Feace. 

The nation was consoled by the noble defence rf Bal- 
timore, for its former disgraces, and joy was visible in 
every countenance, while every village and city was 
lio-hted upwitasuch briiiiant illuminations, as almost - 
rivalled the noon-day sun. The candles of these illu- 
minations had not been burnt out, when a new cause ot 
rejoicing was seen, like the Aurora Borealis, to brighten 
the northern sky. It was a splendid double victory, 
achieved at once on the water and on the land. 

We have already mentioned the departure of general 
Izard from Plattsburg, and that- general M'Comb was 
left in command, with little better tlian fourteen iiuEi- 



142 HISTORY OF THE ^TAE. 

dred regulars, manj of whom were invalids. Towards 
the latter end of August, sir George Prevost had col- 
lected an army of as many thousands, chiefly veneran 
troops, with a view, as it has been since ascertained, of 
penetrating to ilie Hudson, and cutting of the Northern 
from the Southern States, and thus bring about a sever- 
.liice of the Union. A mighty sclieme, but which could 
only originate in an extreme ignorance of the genius and 
character of the American people. Sir George, about 
the first of September, past into the American territory, 
while at the same, time, a squadron under captain Dow- 
nie, entered lake Champlain." 

General M'Comb, and commodore M'Donough, were 
not idle in making every preparation, to oppose the 
most efn>ctual resistance, to this formidable enemy. A 
body of militia, under general Moers, of New-York, and 
also anoiher from Vermont,under general Strong, added 
to the strength of the place, while the militia emailed in 
ff'om all quarters, were daily arriving. The naval com- 
mander was equally industrious 3 as an instance of the 
wonderful exertion made on this important occasion, he 
added a brig to his force, before greatly infciior to the 
enemy's, in the short period of twenty days, the timber 
of which was actually growing on the lake, when the 
work was begun. The females and children, and every 
thing valuable that could be removed, were sent out of 
t!ie way, and every person capable «;f bearing arms, were 
provided with muskets to aid in repelling the invaders 
of their altars and firesides. Even boys were arm- 
ed : forsiing themselves into a company, were found 



GLORIOUS EVENTS OF THE WAR, kc. 143 

efficient on the day of battle. General Moers, co- 
lonel Appling, major Wool, and' captain Sproal, 
were sent forward at the head of detachments, to meet 
the advancing foe. They contributed not a Vittle in re- 
tarding and embarrassing ilie movements of the enemv, 
and gave proof that they wonld not be found wanting- 'm 
the hour of severer trial. It was not until the tenth 
that sir George reached Plattsburg, and took possesion 
ot the village, while the Americans reti-eated to tli-i- 
defences on the opposite side of the river Saranac, hav- 
ing taken up the planks of the bridges. Here the Bri- 
tish remained almost itiacitve hr several days, waitino- 
no doubt the arrival of their squadron intended to caj> 
ture the American ships. Numerous skirmishes, bow> 
ever, occurred daily. 

On the eleventh, early in the morning, the look-ou^ 
boats of commodore M'Donouh, at last espied the ap-^ 
proach of captain Downie, in order of battle. Ws line 
consisted of the frigate Confidence, thirty-nine ^n,ns • 
the >,g Linnet, of sixteen guns: the sloops Chub and 
Finch, eleven guns each, and thirteen gallics, five of 
which carried two, and the others ^ne gun each. The 
American squadron consisted of the Saratoga, twentv- 
sixguns; the Sagle, twenty guns; the Preble, seven 
guns, and ^tengallies, six of whicii had two guns, the 
others one. It lay moored in line in tlie bay of Plates- 
burgh, having on each fiank a division of gun-boats \t 
ten o'clock, captain Downie ranged his ships directly 
abreast of the American line, witiiin three hundred 



144 HISTORY OF THE WAR. 

yards ; the Confidence op}30sed to the Sarrotoga, and the 
Linnet to the Eagle. Dreadful was the thunderin_^ bat- 
tie which now ensued ; havoc and death ruled the 
frightiul ivi^j. About ten, the Eagle changed her posi- 
^tion, for one conceived by her commander to be more 
favourable ; but the Saratoga maintained her perilous po- 
sition, opposed to a ship of vastly superior force 5 nearly 
all the guns of this vessel, upon v/hose success hung 
tJKi fate of the battle, being dismounted, an effort was 
made to swing her round, that her other broadside might 
be brought to bear. Providence fivoured the attempt ; 
the same experiment was tried by the Confidence, but 
"witliout success ; on perceiving this, she was compelled 
to strike. The vessel opposed to the Eagle had already 
stri]ck, and drifted out of the line. Three of the gal- 
lies had gone to the bottom of the lake, the others effect- 
ed their escape, although heavy laden with disgiace. 
Thus after an action of two hours, a second British 
squadron was compelled to humble itself before the 
strength of American freedom and justice. 

This sublime naval combat, took place in the view of 
both armies^ the hearts of all were filled with deep 
anxietv for the result. On beholding the consummation, 
the British were struck witli horror and grief, while the 
Americans, were elated beyond the expression of words. 
The Americans liad one hundred and fifty-eight in 
killed and wounded. Of the enemy, two hundred were 
killed and wounded, among tlie former, captain Downie,. 
'Mhc number of men engaged on tlie American side, was 



GLORIOUS EVENTS OF THE WAR, &C. 145 

eio-ht Imadred and twenty ; on the Brifisb, one thoiBand 
and fifty : so that the number of prisoners alone, exceed-^ 
ed the number of the Americans. The Americans had 
eighty-four guns, the British ninety five. 

At the commencement of the engagement, the Bri- 
tish bombs on shore, were opened on the American 
works, and together with rockets, continued to be 
thrown until night. In the midst of tliis, an attempt 
was made by the enemy, in three divisions, to pass the 
Saranac ; but they were campletely defeated by the 
United States regular troops and militia. One of these, 
at the ford above the village, was repelled by militia and 
volunteers, after a very hot engagement, and with great 
loss to the enemy. At dusk, they withdrew their artil- 
lery, and nine in the evening, having sent off all their 
baggage, they retired with the utmost precipitation. 
The next morning, Plattsburg was found entirely 
evacuated. The defeat of these haughty invaders was 
complete; they left behind them all their sick and 
wounded, togetlier with immense quantities of mili- 
tary stores and camp equipage. They were immme- 
diately pursued, but having already had the start by 
many hours, none but stragglers could be overtaken* 
Numerous deserters, however, came over to the Ameri- 
can side: in one body, four hundred men, preceded 
by music, came into head-quaaters. The loss of the 
enemy, in killed wounded and missing, in this mic-hty 
expedition, which was to have sljaken tlie American 
13 



146 HISTORY Of THE WAR, 

republic to its centre, was upwards of three thousand, 
and almost equal to the American force. 

This signal repulse and defeat of the British, as might 
be expected, produced the utmost joy in the United 
States. All parties united in giving vent to their feel- 
ings for the glorious occurrence. The Prince Regent, 
deeply chagrined for the defeat of his squadron on 
lake Erie, contrived a curious motle of soothing the minds 
of his faithful Britons, and of proving to the world the 
superior prowess of his majesty's ship. On a small piece of 
of water in Hyde Park, called the Serpentine river, half 
as large as a mill-pond, he ordered two fleets to be con- 
structed, and launched upon their destined element, one 
of which bore the red cross, the other the stripes of Co- 
lumbia. Now came on the tug of war; the big guns 
roared ; far flashed the red artillery ; one by one, the 
Americans yield to the invincible Britannia, and some 
even went down to the bottom of the pool. Now rose 
the shouts of the victorious Englishmen, crouding* 
around the pond of their glory, while the frogs returned 
the sound with responsive croakings. The city illumi- 
nations which took place on this astonishing event, were 
soon followed by the news of the surrender of the British 
squadron on lake Champlain. 



CHAPTER XT. 



Defence of J\*ew-(h'leans — Brilliant termination of 
the War* 

On the meeting of Congress, the President laid befote 
them the checquered scenes of the past year. The briU 
liant victories on the Niagara frontier, where the enem^ 
was repeatedly beaten in pitched battles ; the distres- 
sing capture of Washington, and the barbarous circum- 
stances attending , the signal repulse of the enemy from- 
Baltimore, and the recent victory at Plattsburg. Upon 
i\-)iQ whole, the campaign of this year, was calculated 
to awaken the finest feeling of national glory. He at 
tlie same tirce communicated the hopelessness of the ne- 
gociation for a peace, as the enemy, instead of coming 
to an arrangement, had been continually procrastinating, 
and had at last, wheji Iryught to the point, given theii* 



146 HISTORY Oi' THE WAR, 

republic to its centre, was upwards of three thousand, 
and almost equal to the American force. 

This signal repulse and defeat of the British, as might 
be expected, produced the utmost joy in the United 
States. All parties united in giving vent to their feel- 
ings for the glorious occurrence. The Prince Regent, 
deeply chagrined for the defeat of his squadron on 
lake Erie, contrived a curious mode of soothing the minds 
of his faithful Britons, and of proving to the world the 
superior prowess of his majesty's ship. On a small piece of 
of water in Hyde Park, called the Serpentine river, half 
as large as a mill-pond, he ordered two fleets to be con- 
structed, and launched upon their destined element, one 
of which bore the red cross, the other the stripes of Co- 
lumbia. Now came on the tug of war; the big guns 
roared ; far flashed the red artillery ; one by one, the 
Americans yield to the invincible Britannia, and some 
even went down to the bottom of the pool. Now rose 
the shouts of the victorious Englishmen, croudin^ 
around the pond of their glory, while the frogs returned 
the sound with responsive croakings. The city illumi- 
nations which took place on this astonishing event, were 
soon followed by the news of the surrender of the British 
scjuadron on lake Champlain. 



CHAPTER XT. 



Defence of J\*eW' Oi'leans — Brilliant termination of 
the War. 

On the meeting of Congress, the President laid befote 
thein the checquered scenes of the past year. The briU 
liant victories on the Niagara frontier, where the enemy 
was repeatedly beaten in pitched battles ; the distres- 
sing capture of Washington, and the barbarous circum- 
stances attending, the signal repulse of the enemy from 
Baltimore, and the recent victory at Plattsburg. Uporx 
tlie whole, the campaign of this year, was calculated 
to awaken the finest feeling of national glory. He at 
t'le same time communicated the hopelessness of the ne- 
gociation for a peace, as the enemy, instead of coming 
to an arrangement, had been continually procrastinating, 
and had at last, whep Irgught to the point, given their 



14a - HISTORY ©F THE >VAE. 

sine qua non, \vhich was entirely inadmissible. The ' 
United States was required to surrender up a large por- 
tion of their territory, and to retire from those lakes, 
which had witnessed their^ictorles. 

When this was commun'.cated, a general sentiment 
of indignation prevailed through the House. Party 
spirit had already in a great i«!easure subsided, ov. ing to 
the l^ite conduct of Great Britain. Her conduct had 
been so glaringly and wantonly unjust, that no one 
could stand up ^s her advocate. It was therefore 
unanimously agreed, to unite in the most eflicacious man- 
ner, for the defence of the country. The question as to 
the change of the seat of government Mas agitated, but 
determined that it should continue where it then was. 
. The thanks of Congress, together with medals and 
other rewards., were voted to the heroes of the last cam- 
paign on Niagara and at Plattsburg : while the corpora- 
tions of tiie difterent cities, and the legislatures of the 
states, wore not behind in expressing their gratitude. 
The conduct of the British excited in Europe universal 
indignation; the sha-meful destruction of the monu- 
ments €»f i\\^ arts and learning, evinced a barbarity which 
could only be expected from savages^ 

Yery soon after the meeting of Congress, nev/s from 

; the southward awakened the attention and tlie anxiety 

'of all Americans. Intelligence from that quarter, 

left no doubt of an intended invasion of Louisiana.^ 

General Jackson, so distinguished for his victories over 

the Creeks. wli& eppoijited a inajor-geiieral, and the 



BErENCB or NEW ORLEANS, &C. 149 

eommaad of the southern districts assigned to him. la 
the summer of 1814, he fixed his head-quarters at Mo- 
bile, where he assembled a respectable force of regulars. 
Volunteers and militia, tlie two last from Tennessee 
chiefly. 

On the fifteenth of September, a squadron of the ene- 
my, consisting of two frigates and two gun bri^s. appear- 
ed before fort Bowyer, at Mobile Point, then garrisoned- 
by major Lawrence, with about one hundred and twen- 
ty men. A land force, under captain "Woodbine, con- 
sisting of about one hundred marines, and four hundred 
Ijidiatis, under colpnel Nichols, invested the fort bj 
lan-l. The fort with stood -.-this combined attack, w^ith 
the utmost firmness; the land troops were compelled 
to retire, and the fire was so well directed against 
the British vessels, that they were compelled to cut 
their cables and hasten out of the way, but not with- 
out tlie loss of their flag ship, which was set «n fire^ 
and blown np. The loss of the assailants was be- 
lieved to be very serious ; on the American side it was 
trifling. 

The conduct of the British in Florida, at this time. 
was such as could not be passed over unnoticed. They 
were in the habit of openly making use of the Spanish 
territory, for the purpose of carrying on their hostile 
schemes against the United States. The Spanish au- 
thority seemed to have been put down. At Pen^acola 
and St. Augustine, the English had complete possession, 
^n(i from those places distributed presents to the In* 



130 HISTORY OT THE AfAR. 

dians, to stir them up against the Americans. Tliey also^ 
from this fouthohJ, prepared their land and naval expe- 
ditions against our territory. This had been insupport- 
able, and would he, if permitted, liighlj dangerous to 
our safety. General Jackson having in vain remon- 
strated with the Spanish governor, resolved, on his owa 
responsibility to have resourse to more effectual means. 
In the beginning of November, he appeared before Pen- 
sacola witli about three thousand men ; destroyed their 
forts chased off the British, and taught the dons a les- 
son which they would scarcely require to be repeated. 
He then returned with his force to Mobile. 

It was not long after his arrival at that place, before 
he was called upon to display his military talents on a 
more important theatre. The threatening clouds wliich 
had been gathering for some time seemed now ready to 
burst, nie British fleet after leaving the Chesapeske, 
had gone chiefly to the Bermudas, and every day 
brought some account of important preparations for 
Some enterprize against the Southern States. The 
mighty armament at length made .its appearaijce in the 
Gulf of Mexico, consisting of sixty sail, attended by a 
vast number of barges and transports. The foe was in- 
vited by the oppulence of New -Orleans, and its defence- 
less state ; here they anticipated an easy and profitable 
conquest. Tliere remains but little doubt that the Bri- 
tish government intended to hold Louisianna perma- 
nently, and by the possession of that important country, 
render herself mistress of the continent. This magni§^ 



DEI^yCE 0¥ NEW OIlIir.AKS, kc. t5t 

fcent scheme, under Divine Providence, was frustrated j 
ia, the most signal manner. 

General Jacksbn hastened to New Orleans with his- 
brave Tennesseeans, and his repjulars, where he ariivcd 
on the second of December. Not a moment was to be^ 
lost 5 the enemy was at the door, and no preparatioa 
had been made for him. In fact, every arrangement- 
for defence was made at this late hour: the country 
had thus far been exiempted from the visitations of war, 
was unarmed, and in every way unprepared. He super^^ 
intended, in person, all the works which the time would 
allow hhn to construct, and reviewed tiie different corps 
of militia and volunteers of the city and country. The 
slaves, were put in requisition, and the inhabitants were 
called upon to contribute all the aid in th^ir power. , 
The situation of the country is highly favourable for 
defence against an enemy invading by sea, provided 
sufficient time be allowed to fortify it. It is a low flat 
tract of land, accessiblconlyby the Mississippi, or throu«-h 
the lake, in shalow water. Excepting on the banks 
of the river, where there is a narrov/ tract of dry land, 
probably not more than a mile in width, there is nothing - 
but swamps and morasses, penetrated by deep natural 
canals, which are na\'igable for barges fi-om the Jakes, 
or from the sea to the ridges of dry land. 

On the twetfth of December, the enemy's fleet appear- 
ed in the bay of St. Louis, and the American ilotilla of 
gun boats commnnded by lieutenant Jones, then lying 
at Cat's Island, ascended the bay to take a position 



152 HISTORY OE THE WAR. 

more favourable for watching the en'emy's movement!^ 
Two days afterwards, the gun-boats were attacked by 
forty launches and barges, manned by at least a thou- 
sand men, and after a most heroic resistance, in which 
many of the enemy were destt oyed, the ^-.un-boats sur- 
rendered. The danger now was now at hand : genaral 
Jackson ordered martial law to be proclaimed, and the 
whole of the militia was ordered out on duty. The leg- 
islature then in session, made appropriations, and an 
embargo was laid on all vessels then in port. No exer- 
tion that could be made was omitted. On the twenty- 
first, general Carroll arrived from Tennessee, with four 
thousand men, many of them were however, not arm- 
ed, and others badly. About this time, the cky receiv- 
ed a new accession of force, from the arrival of the Bar- 
ratarians, to take part in the defence of the country. 
Tl)ese people had established themselves on some high 
land in the lake of Barrataria, and as it is said, practis- 
ed depredations on the commerce of all nations ; certain 
it is, they openly braved the revenue laws, and had been 
outlawed as smugglers. To tb.eir leaders, La Fitte, the 
most tempting offers were made by the British, to induce 
liim to join in the projected invasion. But instead of 
acceding to these offers, he immediately communicated 
the whole affair togoverno- Claiborne, who was so much 
delighted with this trait Df magnanimity, that he pledg- 
ed himself to procure a pardon for him and his band, 
provided tfiey would join in the defence; they accord- 
ingly came and* were received. 



BEFENCB or NEW ORLEANS, &C. ^ 153 

Tlie capture of the squadrorx ot gun -boats, left the way 
)pen to attack on the side of the lakes. It was there- 
ore necessary to close all the canals or bayous, which 
vould enable the enemy to pass through the swamp, and 
each the strip of dry land on the banks of the river, 
rhis important duty was intrusted to general Villere. a 
lative of the country, and well acquaintrd with the se- 
cret passages. Unfortunately the guard stationed yit 
he entrance of the bayou Bienvenue, were captured, and 
proceeding secretly, they reached the dry land, and 
nnerging from the forest arrived at the bank of the migh- 
y river, about three o'clock, P.M. on the 23d of Decem- 
)er. 'I'his force consisting of four thousand men, in- 
stead of moving directly on to the city, halted to prepare 
heir meal, and to move towards the city at their leisure, 
Ls the city was now in their estimation, entirely in their 
:>ower. 

Intelligence of this unexpected and alarming marcli 
)f the British was brought to general Jackson by major 
^'iliere v.ho had been taken a prisoner, but who seized 
I i opportunity to make his escape. The general, with 
hat promptitude which distinguishes the great com- 
nander, hesitates not a moment on tlie course to be pur- 
eed. He immediately issued orders for the troops un- 
ier the command of general Coffee, stationed some 
iiiles up the river, to march to the place of lendezvous, 
nd giving orders for all the other corps to be collected 
v'ith the utmost speed, he put himself at the head of 
he regulars, the city luilitia, and the battalioa of coloujt- 



154 HISTOHY OF THE WAR. 

€d troops, and advanced a few miles below the city,, 
wliere he halted to give time for the remainder of his 
forces to join him. The schooner Caroline was at the 
same time ordered to drop down the river. General 
Jackson being joined by the other troops, now pursuecl 
his march, but it was some tihie after dark, before he 
came near the British encampment. General Coflfee 
with his riflemen was placed on the left near the wood^ 
while the other troops, led by Jackson in person, attack- 
ed in front. The signal was given by a broadside from 
the Caroline, which did great execution, as the British 
■were gathered around their fires, and entirely oft'theie 
guard. The attack of the Americans in front, and Cof^ 
fee turning their right, penetrated even into the swamp. 
The enemy were at "first struck with consternation, but 
after some time, being rallied, they fonned and returned 
the fij'e of the Americans. A thick fog, which about this- 
time arose, and Jackson considering it imprudent to con- 
tinue the fight any longer, sounded a retreat : a compa- 
ny of city riflemen, hov/ever, missing their way, fell in 
with a body of the enemy, and were taken prisoners* 
The general retired to piece of ground tv/o miles nearer 
tlie city, where there formerly had been a mill-race ;^ 
this position offered considerable advantages, in the 
speedy creation of defences, as it would at once answer 
all the purposes of a ditch. The loss of the Americans 
eans in this bold and well advised attack, was twenty- 
four killed, one hundred and fifteen wounded, and se- 
venty-four missiijjr. The ^British loss v/as estimated at 



DEFENCE OF NEW-ORLEANS, &C. 155 

foif j-six killed, one Iiuiidred and sixtj-seven wound- 
ed, sixty -four missing. This battle, it is now univer- 
sally conceded, saved the city of New-Orleans, for had 
the British marched the next morning, it would have 
been utterly impossible to have withstood them. For- 
tiinately, all the prisoners who fell into their bands, con- 
curred in magnifying the American force to ten or fif- 
teen thousand men. 

In the mean time, a prodigious effort was made to 
fortify the American position. Bales of cotton were used 
to expedite the erection of the breast-work. In a few 
days the line extended about a thousand yards to the 
swamp, which was there impassible. A swell in the 
river, somewhat unusual at this season of the year, 
enabled them to make an opening in the levee, and to 
flood the ground in front of the line, and when the wa- ' 
ter subsided a sufficient quantity was left in the ditch. 
On the opposite bank of the river some works were also 
constructed, and batteries erected. On the twenty- 
sixth, the Bridsh directed hot shot at the Caroline, who 
from her position, annoyed them exceedingly. Thej 
succeeded in blowing her up. Two day's afterwards, 
they made a general attack on the American lines, with 
bombs, rockets, and artillery, but after a fair experiment, . 
th€y retired in the evening with considerable loss. On 
the first of January, having, during the night, erected 
batteries within a few hundred yards of the American 
works, they made another attack, and were compelled 
6^cQ more to retire, with the loss of seventy men. Th^ 



15G HISTORY or THE WAK. 

brig Loulsiann, had taken the place of the Caroline, and 
greatly incomnioiled the Uritish. On the fourth, gene- 
rals Thomas anil Ailair, arriveil at the head of two thou- 
sand five hundred mUitla from Kentucky. On the sixth, 
the British were re-inforced bj general Lambert^ their 
whole A»rce under general Packenluun was little short 
often thousand men, and it was now resolved i^y force 
the American lines by main strength. These were man- 
ned by heterogeneous materials; men of diSerent coun- 
tries and language?, and not all armed, particularly the 
militia last arrived. 

In tlie night of liic seventh, the enemy, with infinate 
labour succeeded in widening and deepening, the swamp 
drain by which they had approaclied tlie river, so as to 
get a sufficient number of their boats into the Missis- 
sippi. During the whole niu:ht, from (he movements of 
the Crilish camp, it was evident that souAething unusu- 
al was forward, and there was every reason to believe 
that a general attack had been resolved upon. With 
the appearance of light, these conjectures were fully 
confuMnod ; the whole British force was seen to advance 
in columns, with a steady and decermiued appearance, 
mnnv of them carrying ladders an<l fascines. The ut- 
most science pervaded the x\merican lines, wiule the 
British were permitted to approach within the range 
of grape, when the artillery opened upon them a tremen- 
dous tire, and as their columns were entirely uncovered, 
antl on a level phiin, they were mown down vf\&t prodi- 
gious slaughter. They still, however, courageously 



BEPENCE OF NEW-©EXEANS, &C. 1^7 

mdveCi forward, closing up the broken ranks with fresh 
troops. But wjien they came within feach of the musket 
and deadly rifle, the whole American line was one sheet 
of fire. It was in vain that the British officers endea- 
voured to urge forwaid their troops to certain slaughter: 
the bravest of them fell at the head of their colums. 
They at last shrunk from the contest, in which they saw 
nothing but imivereal ruin. The columns broke, and 
and fled in the utmost confusion. A few detachments 
only could reach the ditch, where they were devoted to 
sure destruction, A few platoons, led by colonel Re- 
nee, reached the ditch, and clambered up the rampart ; 
but in ail instant not one of them was left alive. The 
astonished Britons stood aghast for a few minutes, when 
in a lit of phrenzy they made a second effort, but with 
the same unfortunate result. They were now rolled 
away from the field, wlijch was left covered witli the 
slain ; a most shocking and pitiable scence of carnage. 
The commander-in-chief, general Packenham, fell al- 
most at the commenceijient of the action ; soon after him, 
generals Kean and Gibbs were dangerously wounded, 
and general Lambert retired from the field with the 
fragments of the army, the flower of the British forces, 
accustomed to conquer in the wars of Europe. Two . 
thousand men fell in this ill-fated assault, which will be 
remembered while history lasts. 

On the opposite side of the river, tilings were not so 
brilliant. The British had crossed over under colonel 

Thornton, and marched to the attack of the entrench- * 

14 



158 III^OKY OF THE WAR. 

ments. The reception was very different from that pf 
fhe opposite side. The militia of the state, with some 
of the Kentuckians, under general Morgan, after one^ 
fire retreated, leaving the batteries in the hands of the 
British. The enemy had been enabled to outflank 
them, ill consequence of the giving v.ay of a battallion 
of Louisiana militia. The loss of the Americans on 
both sides of the river, did not exceed twenty killed and 
ibrty wounded. 

The British were now only studious of effecting their 
retreat. On the eighteenth, they were discovered to 
have quietly descended the bayou during the night, 
leaviwg a great number of wounded officers and privates. 
The inhabitants were filled with joy for this providential 
deliverence, and hailed Jackson as their deliverer. They . 
poured forth their gratitude in public thanksgiving for 
tliis signal escape from a foe, who would have doomed 
their city to pillage and destruction. The utmost ten- 
derness and humanity were exibited by all the inhabi- 
tants, to the unfortunate victims"of war, who required 
the assistance of their fellow creatures. Every house 
was a hospital for the reception of the wounded ; and 
and the benevolent sisters the nuns, were actively en- 
gaged in pouring oil on their wounds, and in discharging 
all the aflices of Christrian charity. 

In a few days afterwards, it was discovered that the 
enemy had entirely disappeared, and the state of Louis- 
iana, then the latest star ot the confederationi shone with 
beautious lustre. 



DEPENCE OF NE%V-OELEAXS, &C. 159 

TlVe British proceeded, soon after, to attack fort 
Bowyer and being able to bring an overwhelining force 
against it, they took possession of the place. Not how- 
ever, to retain it long, as the news of peace soon after 
caused it to be restored to the Americans. 
' This erent, so welcome to all ; at last arrived. It 
was concluded between the British and American 
commissioners, on the 24th of December, 1814, and rati- 
fied by the Prince Regent on the 28th, and bj^ the Presi- 
dent and Senate, on the ISth of February, 1815. AH 
parties in the United States heartily rejoiced. America 
was victorious in the struoole ; tlie enemy had been si»- 
nally vanquished both by sea and land ; and although 
the change which had occurred in Europe, had rendered 
it unnecessary to insist in the treatj on any provisions 
against future abuses, the manly resistance ot this coun- 
try had convinced Great Britain and the whole world, 
that America was not to be insulted v.ith impunity. 



APPENDIX. 



TREATY OF PEACE. 



JAMES MADISON, 

PRfiSIDEiNTT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMSLRI^A, 

To all and singular to rvhom these presents shall come, ^^eetin^. 



m 



WHEREAS, a treaty of peace and amity betwee 
the United States of America and his Britannic majesty- 
was signed at Ghent, on the twenty-fourth day of 
December, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, by 
plenipotentiaries respective^ appointed for that pur- 
pose ; and the said treaty having been, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate of the United Spates, 
duly accepted, ratified, and confirmed, on tlie seven- 
teenth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and 
fiftesBj *»id ratified copies thereof having been ex- 



AFPEXBl^^ 



1^1 



c*iaiii>ed, agreeably to the tenor of the said treaty, whicl^ 
i» in the words following to wit : 

TREATY or PEACE AND AMTTT. 

BETWEEN 

His Britannic Majesty and the U. States of ^imericdi 

His Britannic majesty and the United States of Ame- 
rica, desirous of terminating the war which has unhap- 
pily subsisted between the two countries, and of restor- 
ing, upon principles of perfect reciprocity, peace, fricud- 
ship, and good tfnderstanding between them, have, for 
that purpose, appointed their respective plenipotentia- 
ries, that is to say : his Britannic majesty, on his part, ha& 
appointed the right honorable James Lord Gambier, late 
admiral of the white, now admiral .of the red squadron 
of his majesty's fleet, Henry Golbourn, Esquire, a mem- 
ber of the imperial parliament, and under secretary of 
state, and William Adams, Esquire, doctor of civil laws y 
and the president of i\\e, United States, by and with the 
advice and consent of the Senate thereof, has appointed 
Jolm Quincey Adams, James A Bayard, Henry Clay, 
Jonathan Russel and Albert Gallatin, citizens of the 
United States, who, after a reciprocal communication of 
of their respectivs full powers, have agreed upon the fol^ 
lowing articles : 

ARTICLE L 
Taere shall be a firm and universal peace between \m 
Britannic majesty and Vw^ Uuited States, and bet^y-^^ 

14* 



162 APPENDIX. 

their respective countries, territories, cities, and towns, 
and people, of every degree, without exception of places 
or persons. All hostilities, both by sea and land, shall 
cease as soon as this treaty shall have been ratified by 
botii parties, as herein after mentioned. All territory, 
places and possessions whatsoever, taken by either party 
from tlie other, during the war, or which may be tak- 
en after the signing of this treaty, excepting only the 
islands hereinafter mentioned, shall be restored with- 
out delay, apd without causing any destiuction, or 
carrying away any of the artillery or other public pro- 
perty, originally captured in the said forts or places, 
and which shall remain therein upon the exchange of 
the ratifications of the treaty, or any slaves or other pri- 
vate property. And all archives, records, deeds, and 
papers, either of a public nature, or belonging to private 
persons, whichj in the course of the war, may have fal- 
len into the hands of the officers of either party, shall 
be, as far as may be practicable, forthwith restored and 
delivered to the proper authorities and persons to whom 
they respectively belong. Such of the islands in the 
bay of Passamaquoddy as are claimed by both parties, 
shall remain in the possession of the party in whose oc- 
cupation they may be, at the time of the exchange of the 
ratifications of this treaty, until the decision, respecting 
the title to the said islands, shall have been made in^con- 
formity with the fourth article of this treaty. No dispo- 
sition made by this treaty, as to such possessions of the 
^Islaudssind territories claimed by both parties, shall, in 



APPENDIX. 163 

any manner whatsoever, be construed to affect the right 
of them. 

ARTICLE II. 

Immediately after the ratification of this treaty, by 
both parties, as hereinafter mentioned, orders shall be 
sent to the armies, squadrons, officers, subjects and citi- 
zens, of the two powers, to cease from all hostilities. 
And to prevent all causes of complaint which might 
arise on account of the prizes which may he taken at 
/Sea, after the said ratifications of this treaty, it is reci- 
procally agreeed, that all vessels and effects which may 
be taken after the space of twelve days from the said 
ratifications, upon all parts of the coast of North Ame- 
rica, from the latitude of twenty -three degrees of north, 
to the latitude of fifty decrees north, and as far eastward 
in the Atlantic ocean, as the thirty -sixth degree of west 
longitude from the meridian of Greenswich, shall be re- 
stored on each side; that the time shall be thirty davs 
in all other parts of the Atlantic ocean, north of the 
equinoctial line or equator ; and the same time for the 
British and Irish channels, for the Gulf of Mexico, and 
all parts of the West-Indies ; forty days for the North 
Seas, for the Baltic, and for all parts of the Mediterra- 
nean ; sixty days for the Atlantic ocean, south of the 
•equator, as far as the latitude of the Cape of Good Hope ; 
ninety days for cveiy other part of the World, south of 
the equator ; and one hundred and twenty days, for all 
other parts of the world, without exceptien. 



ATlTiCLE III. 

All prisoners of war taken on either side, as well by lanci 
as by sea, shall be restored as soon as practicable, after 
the ratifications of this treaty, as hereinafter ihentioned, 
on their paying their debU which they may have con>- 
trac ted during their captivity. The tvvo contracting par- 
ties respectively e.igage to discharge in specie, the ad- 
vances which may have been made by the other for ths 
sustenance of such prisoners*. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Whereas, it was stipulafed by the secoTul article ia 
ihe treaty of peace, of one thousand seven hundred and 
eighty-three, between his Britannic majesty and the Unit- 
ed States of America, that the boundery of the United 
States should comprehend all islands within twenty 
leagues of any part of the sl.ore.s of the United States', 
and lying between lines to be drawn due east from the 
points where tKe aforesa-d boundaries between Nova 
Scotia m the one part, and East Florida on the other, 
shall respectively touch the^jay of Fundy and the xUlan- 
tic ocean, excepting such islands as now are, or liere to- 
fore have b^en within the limits of Nova Scotia ; and 
-whereas, the several islands in the bay of Passamaquod- 
dy, which i& part of the bay of Fundy, and the island of 
Grand Menan in the said bay of Fundy, are claimed by 
the United States, being comprehended witliin theiM 



aforeaakl boundaries, which said islands are claimed aa 
belonging to \m Britannic majesty, as having been, at the 
time of, and previous to, the aforesaid treaty of onft 
thousand seven hundred and eighty-three, witliin the 
limits of the province of Nova Scotia. In order, there- 
fore, finally to decide upon these claims, it is agreed 
that they shall be referred to two commissioners, to be 
appointed in the following manner, viz; one commis- 
sioner shall be appointed by bis Britaiiriic majesty, and 
one by the President of the United States, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate thereof, 9.nd the 
said two commissioners so appointed, shall be sworn 
impartially to examine and decide upon the said claims, 
according to such evidence as shall be laid before them^r 
on the part of his Britannic maj e&ty and the United 
States respectively. The said commission's shali 
meet at St. Andrews, in the province of New-Bruns- 
wick, and shall have power to adjourn to such other 
place or places as they shall think fit. The said com- 
missioners shall, by a declaration or report under their 
hands and seals, decide to which of the two contracting 
parties the several islands aforesaid tlo respectively be- 
long, in conformity with the true intent of the said treaty 
of peace, of one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
three. And if the said commissioners shall agree in their 
decision, both parties shall consider such decision final 
and conclusive. It is further agreed, that in the event 
•f the twQ comuiissiouers difciug upoa ^l or any of the 



166 APPENDIX. 

matters so referred to tlietn, or in the event of both or 
either of the said coininissioRers refusing, or declining, 
or wilfully omitting, to act as such, they shall make, 
jointly or separately a report or reports, as well to the 
government ot liis Britannic majesty as to that of the 
United States, stating la detail the points on which they 
differ, and the grounds upon which their respective opin- 
ions have been formed, or the grounds upon which they, 
or either of them, have so refused, declined, or omitted 
to act. And his Britannic majesty, and the government 
of the United States, hereby agree to refer the reports 
of the said commissioners, to some friendly sovereign or 
state, to be tlien named for that purpose, and who shall 
be requested to decide on the diHerences which may be 
stated in th.e said rep,irt or reports, ot upon the report 
of oats ^nmmissioner, together with the grounds uj)On 
whidl the other commissioner shall have refused, declin- 
ed, or omitted to act, as the case may be. 'And if the 
commissioner so refusing, declining, or omitting to act, 
shall also wilfully omit to state the grounds upon which 
he lias so done, in such manner that the said statement 
may be referred to such friendly sovereign or state, to- 
gether v.ith the report of such other commissioner, then 
such sovereign or state shall decide, ex parte, upon the 
said report alone. And his Britannic majesty and the 
government of the United States, engage to consider the 
decision of such fiiendly sovereign or state, te be final 
and coiiclusiv©> on ail the luattcrs so referred. 



APPENDIX. 167 

ARTICLE V. 

Wliereas^neliher that point of the highlands lying due 
iiortl), from the source of the river St. Croix, and desig- 
nated in the former treaty of peace, between the two 
powers of i\ie north-west angle of Nova Scotia, nor the 
north westermost head of Cannecticut river, h^s yet been 
ascertained ; and wherea,s, that part of the boundary 
line between the dominions of the two powers which ex- 
tends from the source of tlie river St. Croix, directly 
north, to the above mentioned north-west angle of Nova 
Scotia, thence along the said highlands, which divide 
those rivers that empty themselves into the river St. 
Lawrence, from tliose which fall into the Atlantic 
ocean, to the north-westermost head of Connecticut 
river, thence down along the middle of that riv^er to the 
forty-fifth degree of North latitude ; thence by a line due 
west on said latitude, until it strikes the river froquois 
or Caturaguay, has not yet been- surveyed: it is agreed, 
that, for these several purposes, two commissioners 
shall be appointed, sworn, and authorised to act exactly 
in the manner directed, with respect to those mentioned 
in the next preceding article, unless otherwise specified 
in the preceding article. The said commissioners shall 
have power to adjourn to such other place or places as 
they shall think fit. The commissioners shall have pow- 
er to ascertain and. determine the points above mention- 
ed, in conformity with the provisions of t'le said treaty 
of peace of one thousand seven hundred and eighty^ 



l68 ll'PENDli-, 

three, and shall cause the boundary rJorcsaid, tVom tb.e 
liver St. Croix to the liver Iroquois or Caturaguay, to be 
surveyed and marked accord iiig to the said provisions. 
Tlie said commissioners shall make a map of the said 
boundary, and annex it to a declaration under their 
hands and seals, certifying it to be a true map of the 
said boundary, and particularizing the latitude and lon- 
gitude of the nort-west angle of Nova Scotia, of the 
north-westermost liead of Connecticut river, and of 
such other points of the said boundary as they may deem 
proper. And both parties agree to consider such map and 
declaration as finally and conclusively fixing the said 
boundary. And, in the event of the said two couimis- 
fcionerstiiitenng, or both, or either of tlu;m refusing, de- 
clining, or wilfully omitting to act, such'reports, declara- 
tions or statements, shall be made by them, or either of 
them, and such reicrence to a friendly sovereign or state, 
e^hall be made, in all respects, as in the latter part of the 
fourth article is contained, and in as full p. manner as if 
the same was herein repeated. 

ARTICLE yi. 

Whereas, by the former treaty of peace, that povtion 
of the boundary of the United States, from the point 
where the forty-fifth degree of north latitude strikes the 
river Iroquois or Caturaguay to the lake Superior, was 
declared to be '• along the middle of said river into lake 
Ontario, through the middle of said lake until it strikes 



APPEXDIX, 169 

the c«mm\inir*iioii by water, between thaf lake and lake 
Erie, thr<'Ugh the middle of said lake until it arrives 
at t^ water communication into lake Huron, thence 
through the middle of said lake to the communication 
between that lake and lake Superior." And whereas 
doubts have aHsen what was the middle of said river, 
lakes and water communications, and whether certain 
islaht^s, lying in the same, were within the dominions of 
his Britannic majesty, or the Uni^^d States : In order, 
therefore, finally to decide th*^^ doubts, they shall be 
referred to two commisp?*>»€rs, to be appointed, swern 
and authorized, to act exactly in the manner directed, 
with respect to those mentioned in the next preceding 
article, unless otherwise ipecified in this present article. 
The said commissioners shall meet, in the first instance, 
at Albany, in the state ^f New- York, and shall have 
power to adjourn to si^h other place or places as they 
shall think fit. Tb^ said commissioners shall, by a re- 
port or declarat^"* under their hands and seals, desig- 
nate the boun^^y through the said river, lake and water 
communica*^"s, and decide to which of the two con- 
tracting t^arties the several islands, lying within the 
said r'Crs, lakes and water communications, do respec- 
tivey belong, in conformity with the true intent of the 
stid treaty of one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
three. And both parties agree to consider such designa- 
tion and decision as final and conclusive. And in the 
event of the said two commissioners differing, or bothj 

or either of tliem refusing, declining, or wilfully ojnittins: 

15 



J 70 APPENDIX. 

to act, such reports, declarations or staUments, shall 
lie made bj them, or either of them, and such tcference 
to a friendly sovereign or state shall be made in all re- 
spects as in the latter part of the fourth article is con- 
tained, and in as full a manner as if the same was herein 
repeated. 

ARTICLE YII. 

It is further agrt^d, that the said two last mentioived 
commissioners, after thty shall have executed the duties 
assi'^'ned to them in the preceding article, shall be, and 
they are hereby authorized, upon their oaths, impartial- 
ly to fix and determine, according to the true inte nt of 
the said treaty of peace, of one thousand seven hundred 
and eighty three, that part of the boundary between the 
dominions of the two powers, which extends from the 
•water communication between like Huron and lake Su- 
perior, to the most north-western pOnt of the lake of the 
-woods ; to decide to which of the two^arties the several 
islands lying in the lakes, water comn.,jjications and 
rivers, forming the said boundary, do_respecurg|^ belong, 
in conformity with the true intent of the saia*j.gaty of 
peace, of one thousand seven hundred and eighty ihree : 
and to cause such parts of the said boundary as re4iii.e 
lit to be surveyed and marked. The said commissiont.^ 
shall, by a report or declaration under their hands and 
seals, designate the boundary aforesaid, state their de- 
cision on the points thus referred to them, and particu- 
Urlie the latitude and longitude of the most north-west- 



APPENDIX. 171 

crn point of the lake of the woods, and from such other 
parts of the said boundary as they may deem proper. 
And both parties agree to consider such designation and 
decision as final and conclusive. And in the event of 
the said two commissioners differing, or both, or either of 
them refusing, declining, or wilfully omitting to act, such 
reports, declarations, or statements, shall be made by 
them, or either^f them, and such reference to a friendly 
sovereign or state, shall be made in all respects, as in 
the latter part of the fourth article is contained, and iu as 
full a manner as if tlie same was herein repeated. 

AKTICLE YIIL 

The several boards of the two commissioners raention? 
ed in the four preceding articles, shall respectively have 
power to appoint a secretary, and to einploy such suf- 
veyors or other persons as they shall judge necessary. 
Duplicates of all their respective reports, declarations, 
statements and decisions, and of their accounts, and of 
the journal of their proceedings, shall be delivered by 
them to the agents of his Britannic majesty, and to the 
agents of the U. States, who may be respectively appoint- 
ed and authorized to manage the business on behalf of 
their respective governments. The said commissioners 
shall be respectively paid in such manner as shall be 
agreed between the two contracting parties, such agree- 
ment being to be settled at the time of the exchange of 
the ratifications of this treaty. And all other expenses at- 
tending the said commissioners, shall be defrayed equal- 



17^ APPENDIX. 

Ij by the two parties. And in the case of death, sick- 
3iess, resignation, or necessary abscence, the place of 
tjvery such commissioner, respectively, shall be supplied 
in such manner as such commissioner was first appointed; 
and the new commissioner shall take the same oath or af- 
iirmation, and to do the same duties. It is further agreed 
between the two contracting parties, that in case any ot 
the preceding articles, which were in the possession of 
one of the parties prior to the commencement of the 
present war between the two countries, should, by the 
decision of any of the boards of commissioners aforesaid, 
or of the sovereign or state so referred to, as in the four 
next preceding articles contained, fall within the domi- 
nions of the other party, all giants of land made previous 
to the commencement of the war, by the party having 
had such possession, shall be as valid as if such island 
or islands had, by such decisions, been adjudged to be 
within the dominions of the party having had such pos*. 
session. - 

ARTICLE IX. 

The United States of America engage to put an end, 
immediately after the ratification of the present treaty, 
to hostilities with all the tribes or nations of Indians witli 
whom they may be at war at the time of such ratifica- 
tion; and forthwith to restore to such tribes or nations, 
respectively, all the possesions, rights and privileges, 
which they may have enjoyed or been entitled to in one 
thousand oi*;ht huucUed and eleven, previous to such hos-» 



APPEND ly. 1TB 

tilities : Provided always. That such tribes or nations 
shall agree to desist from all hostilities against the Uuit- 
ed States of America, their citizens and subjects, upon 
the ratification of the present treaty, to hostilities with 
all the tribes or nations, and shall so desist accordingly. 
And his Britannic majesty engages, on his part, to put 
an end, immediately after the ratification of the present 
treaty, to hostilities with all the tribes or nations of In- 
dians with whom he may be at war at the time of such 
ratification, and forthwith to restore to such tribes or na- 
tions, respectively, all the possessions, rights and privi* 
leges, which they may have enjoyed or been entitled to, 
in one thousand eight hundred and eleven, previous to 
such hostilities : Provided always. That such tribes or 
nations shall agree to desist from all hostilities against 
his Britannic majesty, and his subjects, upon the ratifi- 
cation of the present treaty being notified to such tribes 
or nations, and shall so desist accordingly. 

ARTICLE X. 

Whereas, the traffic of slaves is irreconcilable with 
the principles of humanity and justice; and Whereas, 
both his majesty and the United States are desirous of 
continuing their efforts to promote its entire abolition ; 
it is hereby agreed, that both the contracting parties 
shall use their best endeavours to accomplish so desira- 
ble an object. 



174 APPENDIX. 

ARTICLE XL 

This treaty, when the same shall liave been ratiiied on 
both sides, without alteration by either of the contract- 
ing parties, and the ratifications mutually exchanged, 
shall be-binding on both parties, and the ratifications shall 
be exchanged at Wasliington, in the space of four months 
from this, or sooner if practicable. 

In faith whereof, we the respective plenipotentiaries, 
have signed this treaty, and have thereunto affixed 
our seals. 

Done in triplicate, at Ghent, the twenty-fourth day of 
December, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen. 

(l.s.) GAMBIEK. 

(l.s.) henry GOULBURN. 

(l.s.) WILLIAM ADAMvS, 

(l.s.) JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, 

fL.s.) J. A. BAYARD, 

/l.s.) henry clay, 

(l.s.) JONATHAN RUSSELL, 

(l.s.) ALBERT GALLATIN. 

Now, therefore, to the end, that the said treaty of 
peace and amity may b@ observed witli good faith, on the 
part of the United States, I, James Madison, President 
as aforesaid, have caused tffe premises to be made p'jblic ; 
and I do hereby enjoin all persons bearing office, civil or 



ArP£NDlX. 



175 



military, within the UnitMl States, aiux^]} others citi- 
zenS or inhabitants thereof, <,r being withi. ^j^^ g^^^ 
fjiithfuUy to observe and fulfuithe said -treaty , .^^j ^^^^ 
ry clause and article thereof. 

In testimony where df, I have caused the seal of tu 
(l.s.) the United States to be affixed to these pres- 
ents, and signed the same with nij hand. 

Done at the city of Washington, this eighteenth day of 
February, in the year, of our Lord one thousand eight 
hundred and fifteen, and of the sovereignty and inde- 
pendence of the United States, the thirty -ninth. 

JAMES ]\1ADIS0>^ 
By the President, 

JAMES MONROE, 

dctin^ Secretary of Statei 



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